U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE,update

Romania National Day
12/01/2024



Romania National Day
12/01/2024 12:01 AM EST



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State
HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…Romania National Day
hide

Romania National Day


Press Statement





December 1, 2024



On behalf of the United States of America, I wish all Romanians a joyful celebration of the anniversary of your great unification, more than 100 years ago.


Romania’s commitment to security and democracy in Europe is an inspiration for all nations. The United States is proud to work with you as you modernize your military and contribute to strengthening NATO’s eastern flank. Romania’s support for Ukraine, including welcoming refugees and providing security assistance, has bolstered the cause of freedom in the face of Russia’s aggression. Your leadership in helping Ukrainian grain reach global markets has helped feed the world.


The ties between our nations, built over decades, continue to prosper. We are pleased to expand our cooperation in energy transition and commend Romania’s commitment to increasing solar, wind and nuclear capacity and regional interconnectivity. Our growing business, educational and cultural exchanges underscore the depth of our longstanding friendship.


We are proud to partner with Romania to address global challenges and secure the prosperity and wellbeing of our peoples. Congratulations on your national day.



Tags
Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Office of the Spokesperson Romania The Secretary of State


New Leadership of the European Union
12/01/2024



New Leadership of the European Union
12/01/2024 08:43 AM EST



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

The United States congratulates European Council President António Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, High Representative Kaja Kallas, and the new College of Commissioners as they assume office.

The United States and Europe are steadfast partners who share democratic values and enjoy strong people-to-people connections. We look forward to working with the new Commission and Council leadership, along with the European Parliament and its President Roberta Metsola and the member states of the European Union. When the United States and European Union work together, we foster global security, prosperity, and democratic values that benefit the world.



Secretary Blinken’s Call with Foreign Minister Fidan on the Situation in Syria
12/01/2024

Secretary Blinken’s Call with Foreign Minister Fidan on the Situation in Syria
12/01/2024 04:09 PM EST



Office of the Spokesperson

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to discuss the rapidly developing situation in Syria. Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Fidan discussed the need for de-escalation and the protection of civilian lives and infrastructure in Aleppo and elsewhere. They also discussed ongoing humanitarian efforts in Gaza and the need to bring the war to an end and secure the release of all hostages.




Secretary Blinken’s Travel to Brussels and Malta
12/02/2024



Secretary Blinken’s Travel to Brussels and Malta
12/02/2024 09:23 AM EST



Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson
HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…Secretary Blinken’s Travel to Brussels and Malta
hide

Secretary Blinken’s Travel to Brussels and Malta


Press Statement





December 2, 2024



Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will travel to Brussels, Belgium and Malta from December 2-5. In Brussels, Secretary Blinken will attend the NATO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting to discuss priorities for Transatlantic security, including supporting Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s invasion, deepening cooperation with NATO’s southern partners in the Middle East, North Africa, and Sahel regions, and preparing for the upcoming Summit at the Hague. In Malta, Secretary Blinken will attend the 31st OSCE Ministerial Council Meeting to review the security situation in the Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian area and evaluate the OSCE’s work in all its fields of activity.



Tags
Belgium Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Malta North Atlantic Treaty Organization Office of the Spokesperson Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Secretary Trip The Secretary of State


Assistant Secretary Pyatt’s Travel to the United Kingdom and France
12/02/2024


Assistant Secretary Pyatt’s Travel to the United Kingdom and France
12/02/2024 10:20 AM EST



Office of the Spokesperson
HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…Assistant Secretary Pyatt’s Travel to the United Kingdom and France
hide

Assistant Secretary Pyatt’s Travel to the United Kingdom and France


Media Note





December 2, 2024



Assistant Secretary for Energy Resources (ENR) Geoffrey R. Pyatt will travel to the United Kingdom and France December 3-6 for the Resourcing Tomorrow Conference in London and International Energy Agency (IEA) Global Conference on Energy and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Paris. He will also attend a series of ministerial meetings on energy security, critical minerals, and our support to Ukraine.


At Resourcing Tomorrow, Assistant Secretary Pyatt will deliver a keynote speech addressing the intersection of energy security and energy transition, including the role of diversifying critical mineral supply chains and competitiveness in clean and renewable energy technologies. He will also emphasize the progress we have made in our work on critical minerals supply chains since the launch of the Minerals Security Partnership in 2022.


In Paris, Assistant Secretary Pyatt will represent Secretary Blinken at the IEA-led ministerial with experts from government, industry, and academia on the growing impact of AI on global energy demand. He will share U.S. perspectives on how to address the challenges and opportunities posed by AI, and the IEA’s important, evolving role in analyzing the vital linkages between AI and how energy is produced, consumed, and distributed globally.


While in Paris, Assistant Secretary Pyatt will also join U.S. Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Sean Patrick Maloney to brief other OECD members on the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) and progress on MSP critical minerals projects. In both capitals he will continue his work in support of the G7+ Ukraine energy resilience group.


For further media information, please contact ENR-PD-Clearances@state.gov.



Tags
Bureau of Energy Resources Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs France Office of the Spokesperson Official International Travel United Kingdom


Assistant Secretary Pyatt’s Travel to the United Kingdom and France
12/02/2024



Assistant Secretary Pyatt’s Travel to the United Kingdom and France
12/02/2024 10:20 AM EST



Office of the Spokesperson
HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…Assistant Secretary Pyatt’s Travel to the United Kingdom and France
hide

Assistant Secretary Pyatt’s Travel to the United Kingdom and France


Media Note





December 2, 2024



Assistant Secretary for Energy Resources (ENR) Geoffrey R. Pyatt will travel to the United Kingdom and France December 3-6 for the Resourcing Tomorrow Conference in London and International Energy Agency (IEA) Global Conference on Energy and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Paris. He will also attend a series of ministerial meetings on energy security, critical minerals, and our support to Ukraine.


At Resourcing Tomorrow, Assistant Secretary Pyatt will deliver a keynote speech addressing the intersection of energy security and energy transition, including the role of diversifying critical mineral supply chains and competitiveness in clean and renewable energy technologies. He will also emphasize the progress we have made in our work on critical minerals supply chains since the launch of the Minerals Security Partnership in 2022.


In Paris, Assistant Secretary Pyatt will represent Secretary Blinken at the IEA-led ministerial with experts from government, industry, and academia on the growing impact of AI on global energy demand. He will share U.S. perspectives on how to address the challenges and opportunities posed by AI, and the IEA’s important, evolving role in analyzing the vital linkages between AI and how energy is produced, consumed, and distributed globally.


While in Paris, Assistant Secretary Pyatt will also join U.S. Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Sean Patrick Maloney to brief other OECD members on the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) and progress on MSP critical minerals projects. In both capitals he will continue his work in support of the G7+ Ukraine energy resilience group.


For further media information, please contact ENR-PD-Clearances@state.gov.



Tags
Bureau of Energy Resources Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs France Office of the Spokesperson Official International Travel United Kingdom


United States Announces Significant New Military Assistance for Ukraine
12/02/2024



United States Announces Significant New Military Assistance for Ukraine
12/02/2024 04:20 PM EST



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State
HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…United States Announces Significant New Military Assistance for Ukraine
hide

United States Announces Significant New Military Assistance for Ukraine


Press Statement





December 2, 2024



As part of the surge in security assistance that President Biden announced on September 26, the United States is providing another significant package of urgently needed weapons and equipment to our Ukrainian partners as they defend against Russia’s ongoing attacks. This additional assistance, provided under previously exercised Presidential Drawdown Authority from Department of Defense stocks, is valued at $725 million. It includes Stinger missiles; Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (c-UAS) munitions; ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS); 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition; Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS); Non-persistent antipersonnel landmines; Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems; Tube-launched, Optically guided, Wire-tracked (TOW) missiles; small arms and ammunition; demolitions equipment and munitions; equipment to protect critical national infrastructure; and spare parts, ancillary equipment, services, training, and transportation.


The United States and more than 50 nations stand united to ensure Ukraine has the capabilities it needs to defend itself against Russian aggression.



Tags
Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Bureau of Political-Military Affairs Office of the Spokesperson Russia The Secretary of State Ukraine


Under Secretary Jenkins Travels to Stuttgart, Germany
12/03/2024


Under Secretary Jenkins Travels to Stuttgart, Germany
12/03/2024 07:17 AM EST



Office of the Spokesperson

Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Ambassador Bonnie D. Jenkins will travel to Stuttgart, Germany to meet with the U.S. European Command (EUCOM) and the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) from December 3-5, 2024.

Under Secretary Jenkins will meet with the Commanders and senior leadership from EUCOM and AFRICOM to discuss the Department of State’s coordination with the Department of Defense, and to learn about the Command’s missions, priorities, and innovation efforts.

For further information, please follow @UnderSecT on X.





Secretary Antony J. Blinken and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte Before Their Meeting
12/03/2024


Secretary Antony J. Blinken and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte Before Their Meeting
12/03/2024 10:37 AM EST



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Brussels, Belgium

NATO Headquarters

SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE: Good afternoon. It’s a pleasure to host the – Tony, my dear friend, Tony, here today, the U.S. Secretary of State, again in NATO. And over the last four years, you have been in many NATO meetings. I really want to thank you for that. You have been a staunch Ally, and people like you very much and the fact that you are listening in, participating in the meetings, and that the U.S., in that sense, is really providing the leadership necessary. And we still need it.

There are two big issues we will discuss today and tomorrow. Today, you were very much focused tonight on Ukraine. We know that the situation on the battlefield is difficult, and we have to do everything we can to get more military aid into Ukraine. And I want to thank you, the U.S., but also Sweden and the UK and Estonia and Norway and Germany, for making announcement the last couple of days again of extra military aid going into Ukraine. This is quite crucial, particularly now that winter is coming, and we know the situation with the energy infrastructure in Ukraine.

Tomorrow, we will discuss amongst the 32 the issue of the increasing Russian aggression against NATO Allies and how to counter that. And this is a very important subject we will spend a lot of time on tomorrow morning. And also here your leadership is highly valued.

So again, thank you for being here. But particularly thank you for being here for the last four years. We wish you the best after January, but we need you till the 20th of January every day, and we know we can count to you. Again, thank you.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Mark, thank you very much. And like it or not, you’ve got me and you’ve got us till the 20th of January every minute, every day. We’re determined to keep moving forward on the work we’ve been doing together over the last four years, work that has strengthened this Alliance in extraordinary ways – with new members, new resources and assets, and, I think, a new determination, both to continue to stand with Ukraine faced with the Russian aggression but also to deal with a myriad of other threats and challenges that brings us together in the world’s greatest defensive Alliance.

We share the concern that Mark expressed for Ukraine in this ongoing aggression, but that only reinforces our determination to make sure that Ukraine has what it needs to deal with what it’s facing on the battlefield, also to deal with the ongoing onslaught on its energy infrastructure, with, once again, Putin weaponizing winter, trying to freeze people out of their homes, turn out the lights. We’re not going to let that happen. We’re determined on that front as well.

But we have a broad range of other challenges that we have to look at. We’ll be doing that over the next couple of days. This is a vital moment, I think, for the Alliance to make sure that we’re level set for the year ahead.

And I’ll just say, in conclusion, this – and I’ve said it before – I think what people need to remain focused on is this: The reason so many countries are invested in this Alliance, the reason that new countries – Finland and Sweden – have joined the Alliance, the reason the Alliance is stronger than ever is because we all know it’s the best guarantee against war, the best means to prevent conflict, the best means to ensure our collective security.

And that’s because in joining NATO, every Ally takes a pledge that an attack on one is an attack on all. And that means that any would-be aggressor knows that if they take on one NATO country, they have to take on all of them, and that is the best way to deter aggression in the first place. And that’s why I think you see a stronger Alliance, a bigger Alliance, a determined Alliance, and we’ll continue to reaffirm that today and tomorrow.

Thank you, Mark.




Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with NATO Secretary General Rutte
12/03/2024

Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with NATO Secretary General Rutte
12/03/2024 10:56 AM EST



Office of the Spokesperson
HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with NATO Secretary General Rutte
hide

Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with NATO Secretary General Rutte


Readout





December 3, 2024



The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:


Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met today with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Brussels ahead of the NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting. Secretary Blinken and Secretary General Rutte discussed key Alliance priorities such as concrete steps to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia’s aggression and strengthening NATO partnerships in the Middle East, North Africa, and Sahel regions. Secretary Blinken and Secretary General Rutte welcomed King Abdullah II of Jordan’s participation for the first time at a Foreign Ministers Meeting as an integral step for increasing cooperation with NATO’s Southern partners. Both sides underscored the importance of Allies working collectively to promote security and stability throughout the Euro-Atlantic in the lead up to the Hague Summit in June.



Tags
Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Euro-Atlantic North Atlantic Treaty Organization Office of the Spokesperson The Secretary of State Treaties and International Agreements


Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with German Foreign Minister Baerbock
12/03/2024



Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with German Foreign Minister Baerbock
12/03/2024 12:33 PM EST



Office of the Spokesperson

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met today with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on the sidelines of the NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting in Brussels. The Secretary and the Foreign Minister underscored the importance of continued support for Ukraine and for Allies to work collectively to promote security and stability throughout the Euro-Atlantic. They discussed the serious implications of Russia’s decision to introduce Democratic People’s Republic of Korea troops into its war of aggression against Ukraine. Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Baerbock also discussed the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon and agreed on the importance of support for the Lebanese Armed Forces. The Secretary emphasized the importance of ending the war in Gaza, securing the release of hostages, and establishing lasting peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike.




Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sybiha
12/03/2024



Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sybiha
12/03/2024 12:57 PM EST



Office of the Spokesperson
HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sybiha
hide

Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sybiha


Readout





December 3, 2024



The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:


Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met today with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha in Brussels. The Secretary underscored U.S. commitment to ensuring Ukraine is in the strongest possible position on the battlefield by the end of 2024. He reaffirmed U.S. readiness to ramp up training of Ukrainian forces and improve Kyiv’s ability to defend against Russian air attacks through enhanced capabilities. The Secretary and Foreign Minister signed a memorandum of understanding in support of Ukraine’s energy resilience, which reflects U.S. intent to provide $825 million in new U.S. energy assistance to Ukraine. The two also discussed Ukraine’s irreversible path to full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership, and the direct threat Russia’s aggression poses to Allies’ security. The Secretary reaffirmed U.S. support for Ukraine and its people as they fight to defend their sovereignty and freedom.



Tags
Belgium Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Office of the Spokesperson Russia The Secretary of State Ukraine


Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha at Memorandum of Understanding Signing in Support of Ukraine Energy Resilience and Before Their Meeting
12/03/2024



Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha at Memorandum of Understanding Signing in Support of Ukraine Energy Resilience and Before Their Meeting
12/03/2024 12:42 PM EST



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Brussels, Belgium

NATO Headquarters

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Maybe I could just say at the outset as we sign – we’re signing today a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Ukraine on energy. We and so many other countries are determined to do everything we can to continue to help Ukraine build energy resilience, and that’s never been more important or more urgent, because Putin continues to weaponize the winter with horrific strikes on the entire energy grid, seeking to have people freeze to death, people without lights, take down industry.

The United States and many other countries have been working very hard in support of Ukraine to make sure that the energy grids can be repaired, replaced, protected, and this memorandum of understanding carries that work forward – making sure, again, that as things are destroyed, they get replaced; that Ukraine has greater generative capacity, both on a small and large level; that more protections are put in place; and as well that it’s further integrated with the European energy grid. We’ve seen great progress on all of those fronts, and there’s a tremendous determination not only for the United States but for many other countries to make sure that Ukraine’s energy resilience remains strong.

More broadly, I look forward to speaking with my friend the foreign minister on the efforts that we’re all making to strengthen Ukraine to deal with the ongoing Russian aggression. Here at NATO, I hear a shared determination across the entire Alliance to make sure that we continue to do everything that’s necessary for Ukraine so that it can protect itself, protect its people, and ultimately find a just and durable solution to the Russian aggression.

Andrii.

FOREIGN MINISTER SYBIHA: Dear Tony, dear Secretary, thanks a lot for your strong words. I do really appreciate this opportunity to meet with you, to exchange views in such challenging times. It is true that this document is really very important document for us, especially now, when we – when our people, our civilians, suffering from daily Russian missile terror. And it’s a true contribution into our energy resilience – we are speaking about more than 800 million of dollars. So once again, thanks a lot, and it’s a vital support and assistance in such a challenging time.

It is true that Russians, they increased – they increased with missile attacks on Ukraine energy objects. And what is new: They started to attack objects of nuclear energy. So that’s a true risk of nuclear incident, and all of us need to join efforts to respond appropriately. Now is not a time to discuss what ifs; it’s a time to address properly to the challenges with which we are facing now.

We have regular meetings and talks with you, dear Secretary, and from each meeting the – the so-called list to do is getting shorter and shorter. And I do really appreciate your personal unwavering support of our territorial integrity and sovereignty. A recent strong decision with regard of strengthening sanction policy and sanctioning banking sector – it’s true strong instruments to force Russia to the just, comprehensive, long-lasting peace.

Thanks a lot. Thank you.

(The memorandum of understanding was signed.)

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you.




Deputy Secretary Kurt M. Campbell at a Preview of the USA Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka
12/03/2024



Deputy Secretary Kurt M. Campbell at a Preview of the USA Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka
12/03/2024 01:15 PM EST



Kurt M. Campbell, Deputy Secretary of State

Washington, D.C.

Benjamin Franklin Room
HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…Deputy Secretary Kurt M. Campbell at a Preview of the USA Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka
hide

Deputy Secretary Kurt M. Campbell at a Preview of the USA Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka


Remarks





December 3, 2024




DEPUTY SECRETARY CAMPBELL: Camille, thank you very much and congratulations on taking on this new role. We’re thrilled to have your skill and capability dedicated to this important project and the work that you’re going to be doing in public diplomacy.


Friends, look, it is a pleasure to be with you here today to highlight the USA Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka, but before we get started to talk about this I do have a brief statement I’d like to make. We’ll be taking questions later today, but just want to put this on the record if we can.


So we are watching the recent developments in the ROK with grave concern. We’re seeking to engage our ROK counterparts at every level both here and in Seoul. The President, the National Security Advisor, the Secretary of State have all been briefed on developments and are being kept appraised of the situation as it unfolds.


I do want to underscore that our alliance with the ROK is ironclad, and we stand by Korea in their time of uncertainty. I also want to just underscore that we have every hope and expectation that any political disputes will be resolved peacefully and in accordance with the rule of law. We’ll have more to say as the situation develops.


I do want to just turn our attention to the importance of the Expo as we go forward. Many of us have been involved in these projects in the past. They’re extremely exciting. They give us the opportunity to highlight the United States to groups of people globally. We’re joined today by a special friend, a wonderful counterpart, probably my closest partner in the diplomatic community, Ambassador Yamada. Can I ask you all to give him just a warm thank you? (Applause.)


Our Japanese friends are incredible partners in this, and I think we are absolutely determined to make sure that our pavilion is of the very highest quality and represents the United States in the best possible way. I want to thank Christian Lachel from BRC Imagination Arts. Christian, can you stand up as well if you could, please? I didn’t get a chance to meet with you. Thank you, Christian. (Applause.)


He is our pavilion exhibit designer, and we’re going to unfurl a few things today so that you get a sense, and we’re going to reveal our mascot and give us a sneak-peak at one of our pavilion exhibits here today. So thank you for joining us.


I do want to say that we have a variety of friends on Capitol Hill that have done so much for us. We’ve had the strongest possible support from Senator Duckworth. She’ll be joining us at part of the events going forward. She has been our champion on Capitol Hill. We thank her. Others from Capitol Hill are here to ensure that there is the broadest possible support from both the Executive and Legislative branches.


I also want to thank just personally and with the deepest possible respect Lee Satterfield. Lee has been our engine of everything that we do in terms of public diplomacy. She has stepped in into the hardest possible challenges and carried this mission with a deep sense of passion and commitment. I’m going to force you to stand up, Lee. Thank you, everyone. (Applause.)


So I myself have been involved with a number of pavilions. They’re always important venues to highlight aspects of American culture. This is going to be a unique opportunity. Some of these events are the most followed public examples of diplomacy that we are aware of. Hi, please come on in. And so these are tremendous opportunities for us to engage a broad group of people, not just Japanese friends but visitors from throughout the world and Asia in particular.


The USA Pavilion theme is Imagine What We Can Create Together. From the 28 million projected visitors to the 160 governments expected in Osaka to an innovative digital (inaudible) that can endure well beyond the Expo, I believe that we have a unique opportunity together to create a lasting impact through strategic investment and engagement at Expo 2025. We’ve learned a lot from previous expos, and I think we want to apply that, and we understand the significance of it.


It’s a thrill for me to be able to help launch this today. All the supporters, all those who’ve played a role, I want to thank all of our friends from the corporate community. This is a public-private partnership. We treasure it; we think it’s of vital significance. We are determined to put our absolute best foot forward. I thank you all for joining us in this wonderful venue today to announce the launching of this. I hope you enjoy the event.


It’s my great pleasure to bring Ambassador Yamada up to the stage to perhaps offer a few words of support for this critical endeavor going forward. I do not remember a time that the U.S.-Japan relationship has been stronger, and we continue to want to strengthen it going forward, and this Expo that will give us the opportunity to link our peoples together even more closely. Let’s welcome Ambassador Yamada to the stage. (Applause.)



Tags
Deputy Secretary of State Expo 2025 Japan Office of the Spokesperson


Deputy Secretary Kurt M. Campbell at a Preview of the USA Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka
12/03/2024



Deputy Secretary Kurt M. Campbell at a Preview of the USA Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka
12/03/2024 01:15 PM EST



Kurt M. Campbell, Deputy Secretary of State

Washington, D.C.

Benjamin Franklin Room
HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…Deputy Secretary Kurt M. Campbell at a Preview of the USA Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka
hide

Deputy Secretary Kurt M. Campbell at a Preview of the USA Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka


Remarks





December 3, 2024




DEPUTY SECRETARY CAMPBELL: Camille, thank you very much and congratulations on taking on this new role. We’re thrilled to have your skill and capability dedicated to this important project and the work that you’re going to be doing in public diplomacy.


Friends, look, it is a pleasure to be with you here today to highlight the USA Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka, but before we get started to talk about this I do have a brief statement I’d like to make. We’ll be taking questions later today, but just want to put this on the record if we can.


So we are watching the recent developments in the ROK with grave concern. We’re seeking to engage our ROK counterparts at every level both here and in Seoul. The President, the National Security Advisor, the Secretary of State have all been briefed on developments and are being kept appraised of the situation as it unfolds.


I do want to underscore that our alliance with the ROK is ironclad, and we stand by Korea in their time of uncertainty. I also want to just underscore that we have every hope and expectation that any political disputes will be resolved peacefully and in accordance with the rule of law. We’ll have more to say as the situation develops.


I do want to just turn our attention to the importance of the Expo as we go forward. Many of us have been involved in these projects in the past. They’re extremely exciting. They give us the opportunity to highlight the United States to groups of people globally. We’re joined today by a special friend, a wonderful counterpart, probably my closest partner in the diplomatic community, Ambassador Yamada. Can I ask you all to give him just a warm thank you? (Applause.)


Our Japanese friends are incredible partners in this, and I think we are absolutely determined to make sure that our pavilion is of the very highest quality and represents the United States in the best possible way. I want to thank Christian Lachel from BRC Imagination Arts. Christian, can you stand up as well if you could, please? I didn’t get a chance to meet with you. Thank you, Christian. (Applause.)


He is our pavilion exhibit designer, and we’re going to unfurl a few things today so that you get a sense, and we’re going to reveal our mascot and give us a sneak-peak at one of our pavilion exhibits here today. So thank you for joining us.


I do want to say that we have a variety of friends on Capitol Hill that have done so much for us. We’ve had the strongest possible support from Senator Duckworth. She’ll be joining us at part of the events going forward. She has been our champion on Capitol Hill. We thank her. Others from Capitol Hill are here to ensure that there is the broadest possible support from both the Executive and Legislative branches.


I also want to thank just personally and with the deepest possible respect Lee Satterfield. Lee has been our engine of everything that we do in terms of public diplomacy. She has stepped in into the hardest possible challenges and carried this mission with a deep sense of passion and commitment. I’m going to force you to stand up, Lee. Thank you, everyone. (Applause.)


So I myself have been involved with a number of pavilions. They’re always important venues to highlight aspects of American culture. This is going to be a unique opportunity. Some of these events are the most followed public examples of diplomacy that we are aware of. Hi, please come on in. And so these are tremendous opportunities for us to engage a broad group of people, not just Japanese friends but visitors from throughout the world and Asia in particular.


The USA Pavilion theme is Imagine What We Can Create Together. From the 28 million projected visitors to the 160 governments expected in Osaka to an innovative digital (inaudible) that can endure well beyond the Expo, I believe that we have a unique opportunity together to create a lasting impact through strategic investment and engagement at Expo 2025. We’ve learned a lot from previous expos, and I think we want to apply that, and we understand the significance of it.


It’s a thrill for me to be able to help launch this today. All the supporters, all those who’ve played a role, I want to thank all of our friends from the corporate community. This is a public-private partnership. We treasure it; we think it’s of vital significance. We are determined to put our absolute best foot forward. I thank you all for joining us in this wonderful venue today to announce the launching of this. I hope you enjoy the event.


It’s my great pleasure to bring Ambassador Yamada up to the stage to perhaps offer a few words of support for this critical endeavor going forward. I do not remember a time that the U.S.-Japan relationship has been stronger, and we continue to want to strengthen it going forward, and this Expo that will give us the opportunity to link our peoples together even more closely. Let’s welcome Ambassador Yamada to the stage. (Applause.)



Tags
Deputy Secretary of State Expo 2025 Japan Office of the Spokesperson


United States and the Belarusian Democratic Movement Hold Second Strategic Dialogue
12/04/2024




United States and the Belarusian Democratic Movement Hold Second Strategic Dialogue
12/04/2024 09:44 AM EST



Office of the Spokesperson

The Department of State hosted the Second Strategic Dialogue between the United States government and the Belarusian democratic movement in Vilnius, Lithuania on December 4. Co-chaired by U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Christopher W. Smith and the Belarusian democratic leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the Strategic Dialogue convened representatives of multiple U.S. government agencies with a broad cross-section of Belarusian democratic actors and civil society representatives.

During the Strategic Dialogue, the participants discussed the Lukashenka regime’s appalling human rights crackdown against Belarusians. The United States reiterated its call for the unconditional release of the estimated 1,300 political prisoners being held throughout Belarus for exercising their freedom of expression or assembly and will promote accountability for the regime’s human rights abuses. The United States emphasized its programming to promote and protect Belarusians’ unique national and cultural identity, including their language, literature, arts, and history.

A key topic of discussion was the so-called Belarusian “elections” scheduled for January 26, 2025. Both sides observed that Lukashenka has promoted a climate of fear under which no electoral processes could be called democratic, and the regime’s human rights abuses have effectively frozen genuine political activities and discourse inside Belarus. The United States calls on the regime to hold free and fair elections under international observation.

Strategic Dialogue participants also discussed the Lukashenka regime’s destabilizing impact on regional security. The United States condemned the regime’s complicity in Russia’s war against Ukraine and highlighted meaningful steps taken to expose and cut off the flow of crucial support and components through Belarus that have helped fuel Russia’s aggression.

The United States supports the aspirations of the Belarusian people for a sovereign, democratic future, and salutes the tens of thousands of courageous Belarusians who have taken, and continue to take, incalculable risks in pursuit of their freedom.




U.S. Support for Democracy in Belarus
12/04/2024



U.S. Support for Democracy in Belarus
12/04/2024 09:57 AM EST



Office of the Spokesperson

Since the fraudulent Belarusian presidential elections in August 2020 and the Lukashenka regime’s subsequent mass crackdown on civil society, the United States has supported the democratic aspirations of the Belarusian people, civil society, and independent media, both in exile and within Belarus, through our continued engagement with the Belarusian democratic movement.

In support of the Belarusian people and civil society, since August 2020 the United States has:Initiated in 2023 the Strategic Dialogue between the United States and the Belarusian democratic movement. The Strategic Dialogue advanced our coordination in support of a key shared priority: increase the ability of Belarusian civil society – in Belarus and in exile – to effectively advocate for citizens’ rights and participate meaningfully in political processes.
Provided more than $140 million in total U.S. assistance. The United States also provided $1.5 million to support investigations and case building in a survivor-centered approach according to international best practice, and over $1.1 million in public diplomacy grants to support initiatives ranging from preservation of Belarusian culture and identity, teaching English to medical professionals, and helping women entrepreneurs grow their businesses.
Welcomed 118 Belarusians to the United States on educational and professional exchange programs. These programs are opportunities for businesspeople, scholars, civil society activists, educators, and democratic actors to learn in the United States and build their capacity to usher in a more democratic and prosperous future for Belarus.
Opened in 2024 a dedicated office of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in Vilnius, Lithuania to advance its Belarus program. USAID has partnered with the Belarusian people for 20 years and the new presence is a testament to our partnership, which will continue as Belarusians strive for a sovereign, democratic, and prosperous country.
Implemented hundreds of sanctions against Belarusian individuals and entities as part of our broad efforts to call out and promote accountability for the Lukashenka regime’s abuses in Belarus and abroad. In addition to targeting sanctions on those directly involved in the Lukashenka-led repression of the Belarusian people, our targeted sanctions have disrupted the regime’s revenue generators, including potash and the defense sector, and the personal finances of Lukashenka and his inner circle, putting additional pressure on the regime to change its abhorrent behavior.Announced sanctions on dozens of Belarusian entities and persons providing direct support to Russia’s war against Ukraine. Belarus’s defense sector has supplied military components, repair and overhaul services for Russian equipment, and provided other forms of support to Russia’s war effort.Pursued visa restrictions for regime officials and affiliates for their roles in undermining democracy in Belarus, including those involved in reported torture and abuses of political prisoners, prosecutors and judges responsible for politically motivated criminal proceedings, and municipal department of internal affairs leadership for ordering violent crackdowns against peaceful protesters.
Implemented an additional visa screening mechanism to stop regime-affiliated officials and individuals subject to sanctions from entering the United States.




Pursuing Visa Restrictions to Promote Accountability for the Forced Transfer and Deportation of Ukraine’s Children
12/04/2024



Pursuing Visa Restrictions to Promote Accountability for the Forced Transfer and Deportation of Ukraine’s Children
12/04/2024 10:40 AM EST



Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson

The Department of State is pursuing visa restrictions for five Russian officials and authorities backed or installed by Russia for their involvement in human rights abuses in Ukraine, including the forced deportation, transfer, and confinement of Ukrainian children. Many of these children have had their identities changed and origins obscured, have been subjected to pro-Russia indoctrination and militarization, or have been adopted by Russian families. Kremlin authorities have created a multitude of obstacles preventing the return of these children to Ukraine.  Russia’s continued contempt for its international legal obligations to report the locations of these children makes securing their safe return nearly impossible.

Since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia has unjustly and unlawfully transferred or deported thousands of Ukraine’s children. As it fights to defend its very existence as a sovereign, independent state, Ukraine is grappling with the extraordinary challenge of locating these children, negotiating their release, bringing them home, and providing the critical support they need. We are deeply concerned by the increasing number of reports of Ukrainian children being wrongfully adopted by Russian citizens. The deportation of children from Ukraine is a deliberate, systematic effort by the Kremlin that began even before its full-scale invasion.

The United States will continue to pursue all available tools to help Ukraine in its effort to locate and return its unlawfully transferred or deported children. In addition, we will continue to promote justice for victims and accountability for those involved in Russia’s human rights abuses, such as today’s announced visa restrictions.

This action is pursuant to a visa restriction policy under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which authorizes the Secretary of State to restrict visa issuance to Russian Federation military officials and Russia-backed or Russia-installed purported officials who are believed to have been involved in human rights abuses, violations of international humanitarian law, or public corruption in Ukraine.




Exposing the TGR Group Sanctions Circumvention Network
12/04/2024

Exposing the TGR Group Sanctions Circumvention Network
12/04/2024 10:53 AM EST



Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson

The United States is today sanctioning five individuals and four entities connected to the TGR Group, a sprawling international network that has engaged in sanctions circumvention on behalf of Russian elites. This action was taken in coordination with the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency, as well as the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.

Today’s action reaffirms the G7 commitment to counter attempts to circumvent sanctions, disrupt illicit actors misusing virtual assets to hide and enhance their wealth, and degrade Russia’s ability to fund its malign influence activities abroad. We will continue to protect the international financial system and take action against sanctions evaders inside and outside of Russia.

The Department of the Treasury actions were taken pursuant to Executive Order 14024. For more information on today’s action, see Treasury’s press release.




Secretary Antony J. Blinken at a Press Availability
12/04/2024



Secretary Antony J. Blinken at a Press Availability
12/04/2024 11:55 AM EST



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Brussels, Belgium

NATO Headquarters

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, good afternoon, everyone. This is my final NATO ministerial as Secretary of State, so I will be handing over my keys to our apartment in Brussels today and hoping to get the security deposit back after four years. In all seriousness, I am grateful to all of my colleagues here at NATO – the permanent representatives, the foreign ministers, the secretary general, the entire team – for an extraordinary four years, extraordinary work that we’ve been able to do together to strengthen the security, the well-being of all the citizens we have the privilege to represent. And I especially want to thank Secretary General Rutte, who has hit the ground at a full sprint and is doing a remarkable job already leading this Alliance. I have tremendous confidence in the future of the Alliance under his leadership.

When I began as Secretary of State, NATO had a Strategic Concept that considered Russia a partner, didn’t mention China, didn’t fully appreciate or grapple with urgent threats like cyber and climate. Here, in 2021, I set out President Biden’s vision to revitalize and modernize this Alliance. And in the four years since, the Alliance has undertaken the most significant reforms and the most significant strengthening that we’ve seen in decades. Here we are almost four years later – NATO is bigger, it’s stronger, it’s better resourced to meet the challenges ahead.

None of this was inevitable. It came about because President Biden’s leadership, our sustained diplomatic engagement, and building a sense of shared unity and shared purpose. We have a new NATO Strategic Concept. It recognizes Russia as the most direct threat to the Alliance, while highlighting the new security environment that we’re operating in with threats from the People’s Republic of China, transnational challenges – from emerging and disruptive technologies, climate change, terrorism. In 2020, nine of our Allies were meeting the pledge that they made at the Wales Summit in 2014 to spend 2 percent of GDP on defense – just nine. Today it’s 23, and the remainder of the allies are on track to meet that Wales commitment.

We’ve added two new Allies in Finland and Sweden, immensely strengthening our Alliance for the future. And the Alliance itself has strengthened our defense and deterrence capacity. We’ve doubled our presence on the eastern flank. We’ve updated our command structure. We have new defense plans that we’re implementing. We’ve bolstered capabilities across all domains, including cyber space and outer space. These enduring commitments, these enduring investments will help provide security for our citizens for many, many years to come.

Now, there may be no better illustration of Allied unity and Allied determination than the unwavering support that we’ve shown for Ukraine since the Russian aggression. Putin time and again has sought to break our resolve as well as the resolve of the Ukrainian people. It hasn’t happened; it won’t happen. In recent weeks, Russia has engaged in dangerous escalations, including bringing more than 10,000 North Korean troops into the fight, lowering the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons in its doctrine, launching intermediate range ballistic missiles with potential nuclear capabilities, ratcheting up threats against Ukraine and its partners, continuing to attack relentlessly the energy grid, using winter as a weapon, trying to turn the lights out and freeze people out of their homes.

Yet today, over 1,000 days since the full-scale invasion, Ukraine continues to stand strong, and NATO stands strong with Ukraine. We’ve provided, through NATO, critical non-lethal support. We created the NATO-Ukraine Council, which met just again here in Brussels. We’ve launched a new command, the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine command, to coordinate future efforts and to help speed Ukraine’s path to membership. The United States has been surging our own resources and security assistance to continue to help build up Ukraine’s air defenses, its artillery, its armored vehicles. We are determined – and it’s fully my intent and the President’s intent – to spend every cent that we have available from the $61 billion that were authorized by Congress in the supplemental appropriation.

With the G7, we’re finalizing moving out the door $50 billion secured by frozen Russian assets. At the same time, NATO Allies and partners of NATO are sharing the burden and shouldering even more of the responsibility. Germany, for example, just made a pledge of $680 million in new military aid. Bulgaria, Czechia, Sweden, others providing personnel to this new NATO command. All told, the United States has provided $102 billion in assistance to Ukraine, our allies and partners $158 billion. And as I said many times before, this may be the best example of burden sharing that I’ve seen in the 32 years that I’ve been doing this.

And of course when it comes to our own investment, most of it has been invested in our own defense industrial base to produce weapons that Ukraine needs, but those investments are strengthening our defense industrial base and they’re providing good jobs in the United States. We welcomed the Ukrainian foreign minister here to NATO, along with the EU’s new High Representative Kaja Kallas, and in doing that, we reaffirmed the commitment to Ukraine’s defense and to its irreversible path to NATO and EU membership. We continue coordinating to ensure that Ukraine has the money, the munitions, and the mobilized forces to fight as necessary through next year – or to be able to negotiate, but from a position of strength.

Ukraine also shows that European security and Indo-Pacific security are intertwined. Over the past four years, we’ve had an unprecedented convergence among Allies on the challenges that China poses to transatlantic security, and that includes its critical support for Russia’s defense industrial base, which enables Russia’s ongoing aggression and intensifies what is the biggest threat to European security since the end of the Cold War. But this growing convergence here in Europe on the challenges posed both by Russia and, in different ways, by China, and then growing collaboration between allies and partners in the transatlantic area and the Indo-Pacific, that is a hallmark of the last four years.

As these threats evolve, as they transcend regions, we’ve significantly increased engagement beyond NATO, from the Indo-Pacific to the Arctic to NATO’s southern flank, reinforcing a 360-degree approach. King Abdullah was just here with us yesterday, and we were very glad to have him at the ministerial. We look forward to opening the NATO Liaison Office in Amman next year – it will be the first in the region – to further strengthen the relationship between NATO and the Middle East. But what I want to emphasize is this: All of these efforts are not taking NATO out of area; out of area has been coming to NATO. And that’s why it’s so imperative that we work together to strengthen our capabilities, to strengthen our capacity, to strengthen our focus on these different challenges, because they’re having an effect within the transatlantic community.

This evolution is critical so that NATO can continue to adapt to the world as it is already and as we see it evolving. We’re at a critical moment for Ukraine and for the defense of the transatlantic values on which this Alliance was founded. Over the last four years, as I said, historic strides towards strengthening the Alliance, which has made America and the world safer. I think this is a time for every Ally to lean in, not lean back.

Every dollar that the United States puts into our shared security – whether it’s deepening cyber defenses, whether it’s strengthening our defense industrial base – it’s an investment that redounds to the benefit of people across the Alliance now and for years to come. A stronger NATO means more capabilities to deter aggression, more effective Allies to meet more complex challenges, and the peace and stability that allows our people to pursue fuller lives.

And maybe that’s the final and most important point, and I want to emphasize this. In the United States, throughout Europe, around the world, people want peace. They don’t want war. They want to avoid conflict. And what’s so important to understand about this Alliance is where it came from and what its purpose is.

NATO came together after two world wars as part of a series of institutions that were built to try to ensure that we never had another global conflagration. And what’s so unique about NATO is the compact that each of its members make that an attack on one is an attack on all. What’s so powerful about that is it tells any would-be aggressor: If you go after one of us, you’re going to have to deal with all of us. That is the most powerful deterrent to war breaking out in the first place. That is the most powerful deterrent against aggression. It’s not a surprise that Russia has not attacked directly a NATO member.

So when we all talk about this powerful desire to avoid conflicts, to prevent wars, to have peace, the best way to do that is through ongoing investment in the world’s most successful defensive Alliance, and that is NATO. Thank you.

MR MILLER: The first question goes to Michael Birnbaum with The Washington Post.

QUESTION: Thanks very much. Michael Birnbaum, Washington Post. Secretary Blinken, President Zelenskyy in the last few days has signaled some openness to abandoning Ukraine’s effort to regain all of its territory by force in exchange for NATO membership. I wanted to ask what you thought about that strategy, if you thought that was a good idea, and particularly if you thought it was realistic given that President Trump is about to come into office.

And second, a question on South Korea and President Yoon. I – and maybe some of us in the press corps were with you in March at the Summit for Democracy in Seoul. Was it a mistake in retrospect, to host a democracy summit in South Korea. And are you concerned that Kim Jong-un is going to use this moment of instability in South Korea and transition in the White House to stage a provocation? Thanks a lot.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thanks, Michael. So with regard to Ukraine, the most important foundational proposition is this. Ukraine and Ukrainians will decide their future. Any decisions that are made about how Ukraine engages the Russian aggression, where it wants to go, what it wants to do, these are decisions for Ukraine and its democratically elected leadership to make. And so from day one, we’ve repeated and we adhere to the mantra of nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine. Well, Ukraine has to make these decisions.

I think what we’re working to do in the time that we have left is to give Ukraine, to give our own country, to give all the allies and partners that support Ukraine the strongest possible hand to use next year and beyond. If Ukraine determines that it needs to continue the fight, we want to make sure it has what it needs to continue that fight – the money, the munitions, the mobilized forces. If it chooses to engage in a negotiation – and that assumes of course that Putin and Russia have any intent of doing that – then, again, we want to make sure it’s from a position of strength.

And from my perspective, I think what I’m trying to do, not just with Ukraine but across the board, is to give the incoming administration the strongest hand to play in all of these areas and to pass the baton in a way that they can hit the ground running, because the world doesn’t stop just because we have a political transition underway in the United States. So that’s what we’re focused on, that’s what I’m focused on in the remaining time.

When it comes to South Korea, let me just say this. We’re obviously watching the developments very closely. This is one of our closest partners and allies around the world. We welcome President Yoon’s statement withdrawing the martial law order, and there was a unanimous vote at the National Assembly to reject the decision, and he followed up on that. In our judgment, any political disagreements need to be resolved peacefully and in accordance with the rule of law.

Korea has been an extraordinary story, an extraordinary success story, over the last three or four decades, and the story that it tells of building this strong democracy – and one, again, where we see the institutions functioning as they should – is one that we thought was important to amplify and to show. And that’s – and of course, with Korea wanting to take on the Summit for Democracy, we were delighted at that, and we had a very successful summit. But again, I think Korea is one of the most powerful stories in the world about the emergence of democracy and democratic resilience, and we’ll continue to look to Korea to set that example.

MR MILLER: For the next question, Ciaran Sunderland with DPA.

QUESTION: Thanks. Good afternoon, Secretary.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Afternoon.

QUESTION: Ciaran Sunderland for the German Press Agency. My question is about Syria. Does the United States believe that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has distracted him or weakened his support for Syrian President Assad in view of the renewed fighting?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you. Look, I think what we’ve just seen in Syria with the offensive by HTS reflects the fact that Assad’s key backers, key allies – whether it’s Russia, whether it’s Hizballah, whether it’s Iran – have all in different ways been distracted notably by problems of their own making. And it looks like HTS took advantage of that fact. Right now, I think what’s so critical is that we see de-escalation, we ensure that civilians are protected throughout Syria, and maybe most critically, that there’s actually a political process that moves forward on the basis of the UN Security Council resolution to try to resolve and end the civil war in Syria. If anything, the fact that Assad has refused to engage in any meaningful way on a political process is also what opened the door to this attack and to the gains that HTS has made on the ground.

We have enduring interests, enduring security interests, in Syria, particularly the interest in making sure that ISIS doesn’t resurrect and doesn’t come back. There was a tremendous success by the Obama administration and then completed by the first Trump administration to end the so-called geographic caliphate that had been established, all of the ground and the almost physical state that had been established. It’s profoundly in our interest to make sure that doesn’t happen again.

And so our own engagement and presence remains important. Partners who are working to make sure that, again, we don’t see a resurrection of an extremist caliphate, a jihadist caliphate – that remains vital. We also have in Syria many foreign terrorist fighters as well as their families who are in camps. We’ve been working very hard to see them repatriated to their countries of origin, but there are many thousands who remain, and we certainly don’t want to see those – the foreign terrorist fighters re-emerge.

So we have an enduring interest here. We’re looking at what we can do to continue to shore up that interest, but in the first instance, de-escalation, protect civilians, and then if Assad has any sense for his own – for the future of the country, actually engaging in a political process to end the civil war.

MR MILLER: Leon Bruneau with AFP.

QUESTION: (Inaudible) Mr. Secretary, thank you for doing this. I’m going to break tradition. I will only ask one question.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, I’m sure it’s going to be a good one.

QUESTION: I hope so. I hope so. To stay in the region, Lebanon – now I’m simple minded, but for me, a ceasefire is what it means: no fire. It’s a ceasefire. Well, there have been several incidents since the ceasefire was concluded November 27th from both sides. Do you consider that Israel is or has violated the ceasefire that was concluded last week, and is the mechanism that you had set up actually already set up? And then I wanted to ask you on your reaction, your thoughts, on a comment by the Israeli defense minister, who said – threatened that Israel would be ready to go deeper into Lebanon and would also not make the distinction anymore between Hizballah and the Lebanese state. Thank you very much.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: So first, the ceasefire itself is the product of intense and sustained diplomacy to get it. But any ceasefire, if it’s going to be – if it’s going to be upheld, needs to have something in place to verify it, to deal with any concerns or allegations of violations of the ceasefire. That’s what’s so important about what we were able to set up working with France. We have an oversight mechanism. If there are concerns that one party or the other is violating the ceasefire, it comes to us, and one way or another, we engage the parties. That’s exactly what’s happened. The ceasefire is holding, and we’re using the mechanism that was established when any concerns have arisen about any alleged or purported violations.

I think fundamentally, both parties – that is to say Israel and Hizballah, through the Lebanese Government – wanted and continue to want the ceasefire. The interest that Israel has in making sure that its people can return home to the north, where some 70,000 have been forced to flee their homes since Hizballah has been lobbing rockets and missiles into Israel virtually every day since October 7th, is real. The ceasefire and making sure that it – that it’s sustained is the best way to do that.

I think Israelis recognize as well, from their history, from their experience – 18 years of an occupation of southern Lebanon that ended in 2000, a war in 2006 where they went deeper and stayed longer and suffered losses as a consequence – I think they are very mindful that the best way to having enduring security is through what we’ve established, a ceasefire, but we have to make sure that it’s upheld, and we are determined to do that. France is determined to do that.

And I’m not going to speculate about what’s going to happen in the future. I can only talk about the clear interests of the parties. And Israel’s interest is making sure that the terms of the ceasefire are fully implemented by Hizballah, and that includes moving Hizballah back to the north. It includes making sure the Lebanese Armed Forces are effectively deployed in the south along the border; that they have the authorities, as they do, to deal with arms that they find, to deal with infrastructure that they find; and that we have an effective mechanism, again, to deal with any alleged violations, and as necessary, make sure that the ceasefire can be enforced.

That’s where we are. I am, again, very focused on making sure that we carry forward. Let’s see where we are after the initial 60 days. But we – mostly what we want to see is people being able to return to their homes, and that’s both in northern Israel and in southern Lebanon.

QUESTION: So you don’t consider that there’s been any violations so far?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Again, that’s the entire purpose of the mechanism we’ve set up and that’s being used, which is to say we get reports of violations, we look at them, we engage the parties, and that’s exactly what we’ve done.

QUESTION: There are reports that some – in the press that you have told the Israelis that they are in violation of the ceasefire. Is that correct?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Yeah, well, I’m not going to – I’m not going to respond to or get into any private diplomatic conversations that we’ve had. All I can tell you is the mechanism that we established with France to make sure that the ceasefire is effectively monitored and implemented is working, and we want to make sure it continues to work.

MR MILLER: And for the final question, Sergei Goryashko with BBC Russian Service.

QUESTION: Thank you. Secretary Blinken, thank you for taking this question, sir. I’d like to follow up with my colleague from Washington Post. Can you please tell which diplomatic measures to strengthen Ukrainian positions before the hypothetical talks with Russia, Moscow – did you discuss yesterday with Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, with other ministers, if you discussed any?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: A big part of our focus here at NATO – conversations we had in the – with the North Atlantic Council, with the NATO-Ukraine Council, in many conversations that we’ve had individually – has been focused on everything we need to do to further strengthen Ukraine as it heads into the new year. And as I mentioned, we’re focused in very practical, concrete ways really on three things. Making sure that it has the money, the resources it needs to sustain its economy and to sustain its defense – we’ve now managed on the basis of the frozen sovereign assets, the Russian assets that are frozen, to get $50 billion to Ukraine that will be going out the door in the next – in the coming weeks, both from the United States and Europe. And that will carry Ukraine for some time into next year.

Second, munitions and everything that goes with that – whether it’s air defenses, whether it’s missiles, whether it’s armored vehicles. We’re working in a very determined way, again, to make sure for many months ahead that Ukraine will have what it needs. The United States is pushing out the door everything that we can. But beyond that, we have this process long established – Secretary Austin established at Ramstein – to make sure that we’re fully coordinated with allies and partners. And that’s exactly what we’re doing. And we spent time, again, talking about what the needs are and how each of us can play a part in filling them.

And then finally, mobilization. This is critical, because with – even with the money, even with the munitions, there have to be people on the front lines to deal with the Russian aggression. Ukraine has hard decisions to make about further mobilization, but these are necessary decisions. We have a commitment, though. For every person, every soldier that Ukraine mobilizes, we’re committed to making sure that they have the training and the equipment they need to effectively defend the country. And again, that’s what we focused on.

Going forward, as I said, Ukraine is on an irreversible path to NATO membership, but we’re focused on this in a practical way. We set up a dedicated NATO command whose purpose is to help speed Ukraine down that path to membership. And one of the things we focused on here was making sure that that command was fully resourced, and now countries have stepped up to make sure that they have the people in place to make the command operational. That as a practical matter, along with the reforms that Ukraine continues to engage, is what’s going to move it to membership in the Alliance.

So Ukraine is on a clear trajectory that we’ve worked to establish and that we want to make sure continues through the end of this year and well into next year, and that way the Ukrainians will be in a strong position to make the decisions that they need to make about their future. If Russia insists on continuing the aggression, Ukraine will be able to deal with it. If Russia is actually prepared to negotiate in good faith, Ukraine will be able to do it from a stronger position.

And I’d conclude by saying this. Look, fundamentally, the extraordinary achievement for Ukraine and for Ukrainians is that this is a country that is still standing strong. Remember what Putin was trying to achieve. He was trying to erase Ukraine from the map. That was the objective, and he has failed. Ukraine has a path where it will stand strong as an independent country, making its own decisions about the future, able to fend for itself militarily, economically, democratically. We have to continue to make the investments necessary to move it down that path, but that is the ultimate success: a strong, independent Ukraine increasingly integrated with the institutions of the transatlantic community, including NATO, including the European Union.

And what we worked to do today, again, was to make sure that it has what it needs both to deal with the immediate aggression, but also to continue down that path to a country that not only survives but thrives in the years ahead.

Thank you.




Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Humeyra Pamuk of Reuters
12/04/2024


Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Humeyra Pamuk of Reuters
12/04/2024 02:10 PM EST



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Brussels, Belgium

NATO Headquarters

QUESTION: Thank you very much for being with us today, Mr. Secretary.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Good to be with you.

QUESTION: Let me start with South Korea. Given the U.S. has thousands of troops in South Korea, did you really have no awareness that martial law was going to be declared until President Yoon’s address? And would you have expected to have been informed?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Yeah – no, that’s correct. We were not aware. We’re obviously watching this very carefully. Very good to see that the martial law edict was withdrawn by President Yoon after the parliament voted against it. And for us, this is one of the most critical alliances that we have anywhere in the world. South Korean democracy, it’s one of the most powerful stories anywhere in the world. It’s very important that any disputes, differences, political differences be resolved peacefully and pursuant to the rule of law. That’s what we’re seeing now. That’s what’s so important to sustain.

QUESTION: You’re saying you’re – you welcome the rescinding of the martial law. Does that mean that you don’t think there was justification for it?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Look, I’m not going to get into the decisions that were made, political decisions that were made in South Korea. All I can say is as Korea’s staunch ally, as a country that also believes that Korea has such an important story to tell to the world – because of the extraordinary emergence not only of a democracy but a strong, resilient democracy – we want to see that sustained because it’s in our interest and it’s a partnership that’s critical to us, but also because of what it says to the world. So I think it’s very important how our allies resolve any internal differences. As I said, we’re watching closely, but it’s good to see that the martial law declaration was rescinded and that the political process is moving pursuant to the rule of law.

QUESTION: Have you been able to speak to your South Korean counterpart; and are you trying to talk to him, if no?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: I haven’t had an opportunity to speak to him, but we speak on a pretty regular basis just because we have so many things that we’re working on together. So I anticipate I’ll be speaking over the days ahead.

QUESTION: Final thing on this. The fact that U.S. hasn’t been informed and it didn’t have an idea about this, some people interpret that as a gap in intelligence. What do you say to that?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Look, I – again, I can’t get into the decision-making that partners make. We are certainly not routinely informed of every decision that any partner may be making anywhere around the world at any given time. As I said, what’s important now is to see this process play out peacefully and according to the constitution and the rule of law.

QUESTION: Okay. Thank you. On Ukraine, you said downstairs at the presser it’s a critical moment for Ukraine, and President Zelenskyy wanted the United States to convince NATO members so that they would formally invite Ukraine to be a member of the Alliance. Why hasn’t the U.S. done that? Is it because you’re concerned that Trump wouldn’t agree to it and would reverse it?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Ukraine is on an irreversible path to membership in the Alliance. The Alliance declared exactly that at the last summit, and what we’re focused on is making sure that it can proceed down that path in a very practical way. That’s what really counts. We set up, for the first time, a dedicated NATO command whose purpose is to help move Ukraine down the path to membership. What we were focused on here was giving reality to that new command, making sure it was fully staffed. We have countries that have now made necessary commitments to send the personnel there so that this can get up and running. And as a practical matter, which is what really counts, Ukraine can move ahead. That’s what we’re focused on.

QUESTION: But why haven’t you specifically issued – why haven’t you convinced the Allies for a formal invite? Ukraine repeatedly said that’s what they want and they won’t settle for anything else.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Again, I think what’s most important is practical, and practical is taking the necessary steps to get to membership. There are reforms that Ukraine needs to continue to make. It’s made very good progress on those reforms just in the last year or so, but it needs to do more. There’s more that it can and needs to do just on a military, practical level to be fully ready for membership. And from our perspective, the most important thing to do, the most effective thing to do, is to support Ukraine as it moves down the path. That’s why we have this dedicated command. We’ve never done that before in NATO’s history.

QUESTION: What have you discussed with Trump’s team on Ukraine? Do they agree Ukraine should be in NATO?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Look, I haven’t – let me put it this way. We are in communication with the incoming administration. I want to make sure, we want to make sure, that they have all the information they need to hit the ground running. I also want to make sure that they can hit the ground running with the strongest possible hand to play across all of these issues, whether it’s the Russian aggression against Ukraine or anything else. And that’s what I’m focused on. So we have been in contact. They are – they’ll make, of course, their own decisions.

But as we head into the new year, there are two things that are critical for Ukraine. One is dealing with the ongoing aggression, and the urgent aggression in the east as well as in the Kursk area, and we’re working every single day to make sure Ukraine has what it needs. But the second is to put Ukraine on a strong trajectory well into next year where it has the money, it has the munitions, and it has the mobilized forces to continue to deal effectively with the Russian aggression; or, if there is a negotiation, that it can negotiate from a position of strength. I think as we put Ukraine on that trajectory, we’ve made important decisions here at NATO to do that with all allies participating, then that’s to the benefit of the incoming administration because, again, it will have a strong hand to play as it decides along with others where this goes next year.

QUESTION: Yeah. But I just want to be very clear on this. You’re in touch with the incoming administration about Gaza, and we know that you’re aligned on that. Are you aligned on Ukraine? Because we know National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has spoken with his incoming counterpart. Are you aligned on Ukraine?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: I can’t speak for the incoming administration. It would be wrong and presumptuous of me to do that, so I’ll let them speak for themselves. All I can tell you is we’ve been sharing information with them, and I think they’ve been very much as well in listening mode. And my intent and my focus, as I said, is to make sure that I hand off the strongest possible hand for them to play. And I think that’s in their – in the interests of the country and in the interest of the administration. I want to make sure that my successor, Senator Rubio, is able to hit the ground running, because the world doesn’t stop just because we’re in the midst of a political transition. It keeps going. And any new administration coming in has to get up to speed. I want to make sure for my part that I do my part to help them be up to speed immediately so that they can engage all of these issues.

QUESTION: Last one on Ukraine. What is your advice to European allies given the threat of Trump possibly curbing U.S. support for Ukraine, and how can they make sure that Trump is engaged?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, my advice, first, is not to presume anything; it’s to continue doing what we’ve been doing, and what we’ve been doing together. This is the most extraordinary example of burden sharing that I’ve seen in my career. The United States has dedicated about $100 billion to Ukraine; allies and partners $150 billion. So this has been a group effort. It hasn’t just been the United States. And as we gathered here at NATO, we not only talked about but worked on what are we going to do in the weeks and months ahead to make sure that Ukraine can continue to have what it needs – the money, the munitions, the mobilized forces. So that’s going to continue. And what I heard around the table at NATO is we have tremendous determination among all of the allies to do what’s necessary.

For the United States, look, I think two things. This is not just about Ukraine. From day one, this was about something bigger than Ukraine. It was about some of the very principles at the heart of the international system that are there to try to preserve peace, to try to preserve security – things that emerged after two world wars to try to make sure we didn’t have another one. And these notions of sovereignty, of territorial independence – territorial integrity, independence – they’re not just words. They mean something. And what they mean is, when they’re upheld, we’re not going to have war; we’re not going to have conflict.

And beyond that, what happens in Ukraine matters will beyond Ukraine in the sense that other would-be aggressors are watching. And if Putin were allowed to do what he’s trying to do with impunity, other would-be aggressors, including in Asia, would take note and maybe take action. So again, I think it’s been in the interest of the United States from day one to stand strongly with Ukraine, not only because we care about Ukraine and Ukrainians but because it goes directly to our own national interest. No American wants war, wants conflict. The best way to prevent it is by standing strongly for the principles that help make sure that we can preserve the peace. That’s what we’re doing in Ukraine.

QUESTION: Turning to Gaza, President Trump said on Monday there would be “hell to pay in the Middle East” if hostages in Gaza were not released by January 20th. Can you use this threat to push for a ceasefire? Is this something that strengthens your hand?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Look, I think it’s a reflection and a powerful reflection of the fact that we as Americans are determined to get the hostages back, including the seven Americans who remain hostage in Gaza, and also to bring this conflict to an end and bring it to an end in a way that provides enduring security for Israel and relief to the children, the women, the men who so desperately need it in Gaza. And I think that’s a strong position across parties held by the United States, and we’re going to pursue every avenue we can in the time that we have left to try to get the hostages back and to get a ceasefire. And I think the President-Elect’s statement reinforces that.

QUESTION: Are you aware of any communications between the Trump team and the officials in the Middle East about Gaza ceasefire?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: I’m not directly aware of any conversations. I’ve certainly seen reports of conversations that they’ve had, but I don’t have firsthand knowledge.

QUESTION: And what can you tell us about the latest on this final push for a Gaza ceasefire? Is there any sign that Israel and Hamas are moving closer to an agreement?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Look, something very important happened over the last few weeks as a result of the work that we’ve done. One of the reasons that Hamas has held back from concluding a hostage ceasefire deal is because of its belief, hope that it could produce a wider war; that Hizballah, Iran, Iranian-backed militia groups all would jump into the fray and force Israel to fight on multiple fronts and take some of the pressure off Hamas. Now, Hamas sees that the cavalry is not coming to the rescue. We were able through intense diplomacy to – for now at least – reduce the tensions between Iran and Israel so that after Iran’s unprecedented second attack directly on Israel, the Israeli response was very focused, was very calibrated, did tremendous damage but in a way that wasn’t escalatory. And now my hope is that Iran has fully digested that message, and things with – between Iran and Israel for now end there. Lebanon, the ceasefire that we worked so hard to achieve. Again, this means that Hizballah knows that it can’t count on a wider war, it can’t count on others jumping in. I think that’s going to be a motivating factor in seeing if we can finally get a ceasefire and hostage agreement over the finish line.

QUESTION: Right. Over the weekend there were talks in Cairo about this ceasefire. What can you tell us about the U.S. involvement? What’s next? Is there going to be any – yourself or other U.S. officials traveling to the region?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: All I can tell you is we’re intensely focused on this, very much engaged, but beyond that I can’t – I can’t and won’t say because we’re focused on doing everything we can, pursuing every avenue that we can, to finally conclude an agreement.

QUESTION: Is there – has there been any progress on the day-after plan?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: There’s been a lot of work and, I think, progress on a day-after plan. And this is critical as well, because if there is a hostage/ceasefire agreement – that is, if we get the fighting to stop and we get the hostages out – for it to be enduring, to make sure it continues, there has to be a clear understanding of what follows – a post-conflict plan, a day-after plan. That’s necessary if Israel is going to fully withdraw from Gaza, as we believe it must, and for there to be a secure environment, for humanitarian assistance to flow, for Gaza to begin to rebuild.

So I’ve been working on this intensely for the last several months. I’ll continue to do that. Whether there’s an opportunity in the time that we have left to actually begin to implement such a plan or whether it’s something we hand off to the next administration, we’ll see.

QUESTION: I just want to ask you about Lebanon ceasefire violations. You’ve been asked at the presser, but I want to push a specific point. If it collapses, Israel said it will strike deeper inside Lebanon and it won’t differentiate between Hizballah and the Lebanese state. Does the United States support that or not?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: I’m not going to get into hypotheticals. We’re determined that it not collapse. And again, I think both Israel and Lebanon – or more particularly, Hizballah – have a strong interest in it not collapsing. The – they both engaged in this agreement knowing that it would advance and serve their interests, particularly for Lebanon to avoid a full-scale war and the suffering that would ensue from that; for Israel to secure the area along the border so that the 70- or 80,000 people who’ve been forced from their homes since October 7th – because Hizballah was lobbing rockets and missiles – can return home, kids can go back to school in security, and Lebanese in the south can do the same.

So our focus is on making sure that the ceasefire moves forward. It’s why we set up a monitoring mechanism with France. Of course, any ceasefire anywhere around the world throughout history, typically there are allegations of violations of the ceasefire. It was why it was so important to have this monitoring mechanism in place, the United States and France, so that, if there are alleged violations, we see them or they come to us and we resolve them.

QUESTION: But don’t you think it seems to be collapsing already before that mechanism takes up its role? There has been so many violations, allegations of violations, on both sides.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: That’s not what I’ve seen right now. These things are always fragile. And we have a 60-day period to try to carry it forward and deep-root it, and that’s what we’re focused on.

QUESTION: You’ve been critical of the violence of extremist Israeli settlers in the West Bank, but so far the administration has stopped short of sanctioning the two most influential voices – ministers Smotrich and Ben-Gvir. Will you sanction them before you leave office?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: I’m obviously not going to preview what we might or might not do on sanctions or any other measures we might take. As you pointed out, we’ve sanctioned a number of individuals, as well as organizations, who’ve been engaged in violence or supporting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. And it’s something that we take and will continue to take very seriously. We also strongly oppose any steps that would move in the direction of annexation. And I think it’s imperative that that focus remains and is sustained, because while everyone has been very focused understandably on Gaza, Lebanon, the Red Sea with the Houthis, we also have to make sure that, in the West Bank, we don’t see the continuation of steps that, again, would make a long-term resolution of the Palestinian question even more difficult, if not impossible; and that the lives of people, their lives and livelihoods and their security, is protected.

QUESTION: Your department has been looking into hundreds of potential violations of international humanitarian law regarding Israel’s military conduct in Gaza. How do you explain the fact that it hasn’t produced a single conclusive assessment on any of these incidents? And do you – does your administration, does the department actually have any plans to conclude any of these – like, the assessments into these allegations?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: We want to make sure of two things: that we’re doing the work to make these assessments, to get the facts, to render judgment; but we also want to make sure that we get it right. And one of the challenges that we have is that in real time, in the middle of a conflict, especially when we don’t have people on the ground and there’s also not a lot of media on the ground, it’s very difficult to gather those facts, to make sure that we actually get it right. So that’s what we’re focused on. And by the way, this is an enduring obligation. If we’re able to conclude any of the investigations and make assessments in the time that we have left, we will; but if we’re not, that’s not the end of the story. We have laws, we have our own rules that we have to follow, and the next administration should be bound by the law as well in continuing, if necessary, any of those investigations and assessments and making determinations.

QUESTION: I just want to go back to Ukraine for one second, because there’s been reporting that perhaps some European countries might be considering putting troops in Ukraine. Is that something that the United States supports?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: That’s not something that came up in our conversations over the last couple of days here at NATO. What allies and partners are focused on is making sure that Ukraine itself has the resources it needs to continue to deal with the Russian aggression and to be able to do that well into next year. That’s what we’re focused on.

QUESTION: One more on Ukraine. Based on what you said downstairs about the mobilization, you said Ukraine needs to make very hard decisions. They have concerns over their young population. What do you think – what’s going to be the compromise? What kind of steps do you expect from them in the coming days? You made it very clear the necessity of this, but what realistically you think the step is – what step they’re going to take.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Look, these are very hard decisions, and I fully both understand that and respect that. But for example, getting younger people into the fight, we think, many of us think is necessary. Right now, 18- to 25-year-olds are not in the fight. And making sure that people are there – not just the weapons, not just the munitions, not just the money, but mobilized forces – is also essential to success. So how the Ukrainians do that, what things they put in place to mobilize more forces, their decision. I think the assessment that we have across the board in NATO is that they do need to do more to get more people to the front lines.

But we have a commitment as well. The commitment that we have as an Alliance and as countries that support Ukraine is to make sure that for every force that they mobilize, we will provide training, we’ll provide equipment so that anyone who goes off to serve and defend their country can do so knowing that they’ve got the highest quality training, they have the highest quality weapons to make sure that they can do their jobs and defend their country.

QUESTION: My final three questions – it’s super, super short. Syrian conflict has flared up again after many years. Super short – does the United States still believe Assad must leave office, or could he stay?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Again, what we’d like to see in Syria – and I think what we’ve seen recently shows exactly why what we wanted to see and that hasn’t happened is so important – is actually moving forward on a political process to end the civil war. Assad’s utter failure to engage in that process is one of the reasons that he is now under assault. The other problem that he’s faced is that he’s faced is that his allies, his partners, have all been distracted by problems of their own, making – Iran, Hizballah, Russia. So they weren’t there. The HTS, a terrorist group, took advantage of that situation.

QUESTION: But you’re okay with him staying?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Look, I’m not prejudging anything because it’s up to the Syrian people to decide the future of the country, but there has to be an effective political process for them to be able to make those decisions. Assad has not – has refused to engage in that, and he’s actually paying a price for it right now.

QUESTION: Okay. Final two. Mr. Secretary, tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza war. You personally repeatedly expressed your sympathies about the suffering of innocent civilians. I’m wondering: How does Israel’s conduct reflect on your legacy as Secretary of State? Do you leave the administration with a clear conscience that you have done absolutely everything in your power to stop the killing?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Others will have to judge the legacy of the administration, my own legacy. Right now, what I’m focused on is using every minute that I have left in this job to try to bring an end to that conflict, to try to bring an end to the suffering of people. And when I see – and as I’ve seen from almost day one – the horrors that so many innocent people have been suffering, caught in this crossfire that Hamas initiated, a conflict that they didn’t start and are powerless to end, it’s absolutely gut wrenching. But what I have to focus on, what we’ve had to focus on is how do we bring this to an end most quickly and most effectively, in a way that helps ensure that October 7th and its horrors never happen again but also in a way that’s responsive to the desperate needs of Palestinian people in Gaza. That’s my entire focus.

There will be time, maybe a lot of time, after the end of this administration for people to judge what we did, whether we did right, whether we did wrong, whether we could have done better, whether we could have done differently. I don’t have time to do that now. My time is focused on trying with every minute that we have to get the hostages home, to end this conflict, and to put Gaza on a better path.

QUESTION: You’re one of President Biden’s closest aides. It’s hard to imagine that you didn’t see his cognitive decline. Why didn’t you advise him against running? What is your response to criticism that everyone who shielded him from scrutiny have cost the Democrats the election?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Look, I don’t get into politics. I also don’t get into private conversations between me and the President. If I did, that’s the minute he would stop listening to anything I have to say. So that’s where I’ll leave it, but what I can say is this. What we inherited, what President Biden inherited – the worst economic crisis going back to the Great Depression, the worst health crisis going back at least a hundred years, partnerships and alliances in total disarray – to now leave office, handing over the strongest economy among the major countries in the world by virtually every indicator, inflation tamed, more foreign direct investment that we’ve seen at any time, and – for my part, at least – partnerships and alliances that have been re-energized, re-imagined, putting us in a position of much greater strength to deal with all of these challenges, to deal with China, to deal with Russia. He and we, I think, can take pride in what he’s – what we’ve accomplished under his leadership and what we’re handing off to the next administration.

I’ve still got a few weeks left to keep working at all of these issues, to make sure that, again, we’re giving the next administration the strongest hand to play. That didn’t just happen. A lot of work went into it, but every step of the way was under the leadership, under the guidance, following the decisions that were made by President Biden. I think the record speaks very eloquently for itself.

QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, thank you very much for being with us today.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you.




Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela Before Their Meeting
12/04/2024



Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela Before Their Meeting
12/04/2024 03:38 PM EST



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Valletta, Malta

Auberge de Castille

PRIME MINISTER ABELA: So Secretary Blinken, first of all, thank you for being here. It is indeed a great pleasure to welcome you to Malta. Your visit here reflects the enduring and robust ties between our two nations, rooted in shared values and mutual respect, and the respect also that we have for fundamental human rights.

Under the administration of President Biden, our cooperation has reached new heights, reaffirming our mutual commitment to promoting peace, security, and the principles of democracy, rule of law as well, and human rights, as I have already just mentioned. These values remain at the core of our enduring partnership. Whilst we wish we could have achieved more during our time on the United Nations Security Council, we are very proud of the opportunities we have had to collaborate and support each other’s efforts, as we have discussed earlier at my office. The United States’ unwavering backing of Malta’s role as chairperson-in-office of the OSCE has been invaluable, strengthening our collective ability to address regional security challenges and advance conflict resolution as well.

The partnership between Malta and the United States extends well beyond government relations, thriving on vibrant people-to-people connections, dynamic business collaborations, and cultural exchanges that deepen our bond, with approximately 246,000 Maltese or of Maltese descent residing in the U.S., the third largest Maltese diaspora globally, concentrated in New York, Michigan, San Francisco, and Florida. Our shared heritage further strengthens this relationship.

Of course, Malta is eager to expand mutually beneficial economic ties by fostering deeper cooperation in key sectors such as advanced manufacturing, AI, film, ICT and digital communication, health, education, and the pharmaceutical and medical devices industries.

Malta hosts several U.S. companies locally, operating across various sectors. U.S. FDI in Malta amounted to approximately $2.34 billion in 2021; today it has increased further. Key investments include the Malta Drone Centre, Crane Currency, Baxter, Cardinal Health, and others also. Tourism, which is of course very important economically for us, represents significant opportunities, particularly in niche markets. Inward flows are back to pre-pandemic levels – we’re very happy for that – offering mutual benefits, especially in the cruise line industry.

Together we are addressing global challenges, and we’re very happy for that, from ensuring stability and security to fostering prosperity and resilience. As we approach the final period of your tenure, I look forward to further exchanges and also to continue taking this relationship forward. Thank you indeed once again for being here.

SECRETARY BLINKEN : Well, Prime Minister Abela, colleagues, thank you so much. Thank you, first of all, for your extraordinary hospitality. But even more than that, thank you for the friendship, the partnership, that we’ve built between Malta and the United States. And I have to say, Prime Minister, it’s been extraordinary what Malta has done with the OSCE, stepping in, really, pretty much at the last minute to take on the chairmanship-in-office, and not only to take it on, but to do it so well in a very challenging time. We gather here, thanks to you, thanks to your team, and I’m hopeful and confident that we can carry the work of the OSCE forward. That would not be the case had Malta not stepped up.

And similarly, we’ve been grateful for our collaboration on the United Nations Security Council. And the fact that you’ve taken on both of these assignments at the same time I think speaks volumes. And as you put it, our own partnership between the United States and Malta has only grown stronger and grown deeper, and I’m determined that that continue. And certainly I’m going to commend that to our successors.

You mentioned foreign direct investment and how that’s increased. I think that’s a very important measure because you only get that investment when there’s trust and when there’s confidence, because people have to have that confidence in the future. So I think that, in and of itself, is a very strong indicator.

But to you, to all of your team, thank you again for the leadership that you’ve shown, the partnership you’ve shown, and the friendship that we have. We look forward to building on it over the next day. Thank you.




Acting Under Secretary Bass’ Meeting with Moldovan Foreign Minister Popsoi
12/04/2024



Acting Under Secretary Bass’ Meeting with Moldovan Foreign Minister Popsoi
12/04/2024 04:35 PM EST



Office of the Spokesperson
HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…Acting Under Secretary Bass’ Meeting with Moldovan Foreign Minister Popsoi
hide

Acting Under Secretary Bass’ Meeting with Moldovan Foreign Minister Popsoi


Readout





December 4, 2024



Acting Under Secretary for Political Affairs John Bass met with Moldovan Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi today in Washington, D.C. The Under Secretary congratulated Foreign Minister Popsoi on Moldova’s recent passage of the referendum enshrining the strategic goal of EU membership in its constitution. The Under Secretary and FM Popsoi agreed to open negotiations on a charter that would elevate bilateral ties to the level of Strategic Partnership. Under Secretary Bass also announced the Department approved Moldova’s request to open a consulate in Chicago.



Tags
Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Moldova Office of the Spokesperson Under Secretary for Political Affairs


Statement on Romania’s Presidential Elections
12/04/2024



Statement on Romania’s Presidential Elections
12/04/2024 06:30 PM EST



Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson
HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…Statement on Romania’s Presidential Elections
hide

Statement on Romania’s Presidential Elections


Press Statement





December 4, 2024



We have been closely following the elections in Romania. It is the choice of the Romanian people whom they elect, and the United States does not interfere with that choice or process.


We are concerned by the Romanian Supreme Council for National Defense (CSAT)’s report of Russian involvement in malign cyber activity designed to influence the integrity of the Romanian electoral process. Data referenced in the report should be fully investigated to ensure the integrity of Romania’s electoral process.


The United States values Romania’s contributions as a strong NATO Ally and partner in the European Union. Romania’s hard-earned progress anchoring itself in the Transatlantic community cannot be turned back by foreign actors seeking to shift Romania’s foreign policy away from its Western alliances. Any such change would have serious negative impacts on U.S. security cooperation with Romania, while a decision to restrict foreign investment would discourage U.S. companies from continuing to invest in Romania.


Through an enduring partnership, we have made important progress in our defense cooperation and economic partnership and taken steps towards visa free travel. We will continue to work together to preserve the security of our nations and the prosperity and well-being of our citizens.



Tags
Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Office of the Spokesperson Romania


U.S. Support for Georgian People
12/04/2024


U.S. Support for Georgian People
12/04/2024 06:36 PM EST



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State
HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…U.S. Support for Georgian People
hide

U.S. Support for Georgian People


Press Statement





December 4, 2024



The United States has been a partner to Georgia and the Georgian people for more than 32 years. Our partnership has been rooted in our shared love of freedom and democracy and a desire to see Georgia in the Euro-Atlantic family. We have worked hand-in-hand with successive Georgian governments and the Georgian people to develop Georgia’s economy, improve its education system, enhance defense capabilities, and expand its health and agriculture sectors. The United States has been a strong supporter of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and our commitment to the brave people of Georgia and their Euro-Atlantic aspirations is ironclad.


The United States strongly condemns the Georgian Dream party’s brutal and unjustified violence against Georgian citizens, protesters, members of the media, and opposition figures. We call on Georgian Dream to cease its repressive tactics, including its use of arbitrary detention and physical violence, to attempt to silence its critics. We are particularly concerned by reports of serious injuries sustained by people at the hands of law enforcement. Those detained for exercising their human rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression must be released immediately, and officials responsible for the unlawful use of force must be held fully accountable.


The United States stands in solidarity with the Georgian people and their democratic aspirations. Those who undermine democratic processes or institutions in Georgia – including those who suppress Georgian citizens’ right to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression – will be held to account. In addition to continuing our previously announced comprehensive review of bilateral cooperation, the United States is now preparing to use the tools at our disposal, including additional sanctions.



Tags
Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Georgia Office of the Spokesperson The Secretary of State


Secretary Antony J. Blinken at the OSCE Ministerial Council Meeting Plenary Session
12/05/2024


Secretary Antony J. Blinken at the OSCE Ministerial Council Meeting Plenary Session
12/05/2024 07:35 AM EST



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Malta Fairs and Convention Center

At the OSCE Ministerial Council Meeting Plenary Session

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Ian, Chair-in-Office Borg, thank you so much. Thank you to you. Thank you to all of our Maltese hosts for a very productive ministerial and for being such a strong, successful chair-in-office.

Half a century ago, our countries came together to forge a shared vision for preserving peace and stability in Europe. The group that would eventually become the OSCE agreed that military and economic security are inseparable from – indeed, rooted in – the upholding of fundamental freedoms.

Thirty years ago, I was with President Clinton in Budapest when the CSCE became the OSCE, and as he said then, we “seek to increase the security of all; to erase the old lines without drawing arbitrary new ones; to bolster emerging democracies; and to integrate the nations of Europe into a continent where democracy and free markets know no borders but where every nation’s borders are secure.”

Today, the majority of our members are united in a commitment to that foundational principle set 50 years ago and to the vision that President Clinton set out 30 years ago. And despite Russia’s sustained attempts to violate this institution’s spirit and obstruct its work, the OSCE has continued to carry out its vital mission.

This year, the OSCE observed more than a dozen elections – including the recent United States election – delivering assessments that remain the gold standard for free and fair contests. In Moldova, the OSCE affirmed a well-administered runoff despite Russian interference, and now Romanian authorities are uncovering a Russian effort – large in scale and well-funded – to influence the recent presidential election, contrary to OSCE standards. Meanwhile in Georgia, observers shed light on troubling reports of voter intimidation and efforts by the ruling party to tilt the playing field in its favor.

The United States shares the concerns of many OSCE members about Georgian Dream’s decision to suspend Georgia’s EU accession process. This has eerie overtones of 2014. We support the right to peaceful protest and condemn the brutal aggression of – repression of those calling for their country to stay on the path to closer ties with Europe – in particular, the reported assaults and detention of journalists.

Georgian Dream’s anti-democratic actions underscore the importance of the OSCE’s work to strengthen civil society, to strengthen freedom of the press, to bolster protections for journalists, anti-corruption activists, and human rights defenders.

When Russia blocked the annual conference where we take stock of our progress on human rights, the OSCE instead convened member-states and civil society in Warsaw to hold ourselves and one another accountable. At a time of increasing restrictions on civil society and independent media in the OSCE region, efforts like this one are more important than ever.

Finally, Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has undermined the ideals of sovereignty and sovereign equality of nations, territorial integrity of states, self-determination of peoples. In response, the OSCE has used the Moscow Mechanism to call out Russia’s violations of international law, including the forced relocation of children.

After Russia forced the Special Monitoring Mission to stop reporting from Ukraine’s front lines, we stood up the Support Program for Ukraine, which is helping local law enforcement identify abducted children, as well as providing anti-corruption training and whistleblower protection. The OSCE is also helping locate and return Ukrainian artifacts that Russia has stolen.

Now, one of our colleagues talked about escalation. He’s exactly right. Let’s talk about escalation. Let’s talk about the introduction of North Korean forces into Europe. Let’s talk about the use of intermediate-range ballistic missiles to attack Ukraine. Let’s talk about lowering the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons by Russia. Let’s talk about the ongoing assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, including its nuclear transmission grid, which poses a grave threat to every single country in this room. That is escalation.

Now, I regret that our colleague, Mr. Lavrov, has left the room, not giving the courtesy to listen to us as we listened to him. And, of course, our Russian colleague is very adept at drowning listeners in a tsunami of misinformation. So I won’t parse everything that he said, but I will just note two things.

First, he speaks of the indivisibility of security. That’s right, but it cannot be and must not be a one-way street, good for Russia but not Ukraine. But let’s not fool ourselves and let’s not allow him or anyone else to fool us. This is not about and has never been about Russia’s security. This is about Mr. Putin’s imperial project to erase Ukraine from the map.

And don’t believe me, don’t take me at my word. Listen to Mr. Putin’s own words. Way back in 2008 at the NATO summit, Putin claimed, and I quote, “Ukraine is not even a state. What is Ukraine? Part of its territory Eastern Europe, but part, a significant part, was a gift from us.” And in 2014, marking the illegal annexation of Crimea, Putin declared that Russians and Ukrainians are, and I quote, “one people.” In February 2020, Putin again said in an interview that Ukrainians and Russians are one and the same people and that Ukrainian national identity was a foreign construction aimed at weakening Russia. In July 2021, in an article – a quasi-academic piece attempting to provide historical justification for the invasion – Putin rejected the idea of a distinct Ukrainian people and nation, and I won’t bother to quote from it, but I could at length. Just a few months ago, this year, Mr. Putin said in an interview, “So in sense, we have every reason to affirm that Ukraine is an artificial state that was shaped at Stalin’s will… Everyone in the West thinks that the Russian people have been split by hostilities forever. No. They will be reunited.”

That is what this is about. That’s what it’s always been about. And that’s why we have to stand strongly against it.

Mr. Lavrov spoke about the sovereign right of every member-state to make their own choices. That’s exactly what this is about: the sovereign right of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people to make their own choices about the future, not to have those choices made in and by Moscow.

In this challenging environment, sustaining the OSCE’s work requires equipping the organization with strong leaders who will vigorously defend and advance the Helsinki principles. So I’m pleased we’ve made progress on vacant leadership positions. It’s crucial that we do the same for future chairs, as well as for a unified budget, and that Russia pay its fair share of that budget. The United States welcomes Cyprus’ willingness to serve as CIO in 2027. I hope we can agree on that and on a strong candidate for 2026.

This organization upholds the highest standards of democracy, human rights, the rule of law – and it’s able to do so, above all, because of the people who serve the institution. On behalf of all participating states and the combined 1 billion people that we represent, I want to thank the OSCE’s public servants for their commitment to this organization’s enduring work.

Thank you very much.




Secretary Antony J. Blinken Before His Meeting With Civil Society
12/05/2024




Secretary Antony J. Blinken Before His Meeting With Civil Society
12/05/2024 08:10 AM EST



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Attard, Malta

Malta Fairs and Convention Center

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, hello, everyone, and I’m so pleased to be able to spend time with colleagues from civil society from Ukraine, from Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Russia. We’re here at the OSCE, and a foundational premise, principle of the OSCE is that we can’t separate our military, physical, and economic security from fundamental freedoms, that these go hand in hand. And in all of our countries, civil society is absolutely essential to helping us preserve, defend, and protect basic human freedoms that matter the most: to be able to speak freely, to associate freely, to practice religion freely, to vote.

And for all of the democracies, civil society is essential to holding us, holding governments accountable, to making sure that we’re doing what’s necessary to uphold those freedoms. And so for me it’s a very important opportunity to hear from people who are in this struggle – on the front lines – every single day in very challenging circumstances, but at a time when it matters more than ever. So thank you all for being here, and I’m really eager to hear from you and, again, hear how the United States can help support your work which is so essential to the freedoms that we sometimes take for granted but without which none of our societies – none of our countries – would be genuinely secure.

Thank you.

# # #




Joint Statement on the U.S.-Spain Central America Working Group
12/05/2024



Joint Statement on the U.S.-Spain Central America Working Group
12/05/2024 01:17 PM EST



Office of the Spokesperson
HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…Joint Statement on the U.S.-Spain Central America Working Group
hide

Joint Statement on the U.S.-Spain Central America Working Group


Media Note





December 5, 2024



The Governments of the United States of America and Spain released the following statement on the occasion of the Central America Working Group.


Begin Text:


At the fourth U.S.-Spain Working Group on Central America, held in Washington, D.C., on December 4, the United States and Spain shared their priorities and concerns with regards to the region. The main issues discussed were the efforts to strengthen democracy and the rule of law, address gender-based violence, protect human rights, advance regional security, promote inclusive development and economic opportunity, combat transnational crime, and coordinate regional responses to migration and displacement. Both parties underscored the importance of international support and highlighted the steadfast work of partner governments, local civil society actors, and the private sector to create the conditions for a more secure, prosperous, and democratic future.


Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian A. Nichols led the U.S. delegation while Secretary of State for Ibero-America and the Caribbean and Spanish in the World Susana Sumelzo led the Spanish delegation. Additional U.S. representatives joined from the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs; Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration; and Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. Spanish participants joined from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union, and Cooperation; Ministry of Interior; Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration; and Agency for International Cooperation for Development.


The Working Group meets periodically on shared priorities related to Central America, thereby reaffirming our bilateral commitment to collaborate on regional and global issues of common interest. Working Group participants from both countries also engaged representatives from Central American governments, civil society, and the private sector.


End Text.


For further information, please contact WHAPress@state.gov, and follow @WHAAsstSecty.



Tags
Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs Office of the Spokesperson Spain


U.S. Bolsters Poland with $4 Billion FMF Loan Guarantee, Totaling Over $11 Billion in Loan Support
12/05/2024


U.S. Bolsters Poland with $4 Billion FMF Loan Guarantee, Totaling Over $11 Billion in Loan Support
12/05/2024 02:03 PM EST



Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson

The United States is today providing an additional $4 billion Foreign Military Financing (FMF) loan guarantee to Poland, bringing the total value of U.S. loans and loan guarantees to Poland to just over $11 billion within the last two years.

Poland is a cornerstone of NATO’s Eastern Flank and a key strategic partner for the United States. Since 2023, Poland has embarked on an unprecedented program of military modernization, significantly strengthening its defense capabilities. This modernization includes major acquisitions of advanced U.S. defense systems such as Apache helicopters, the Airspace and Surface Radar Reconnaissance System, High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), and Patriot air and missile defense systems.

FMF loans and loan guarantees are an important tool in U.S. security cooperation, offered to our closest and most trusted allies. The proceeds from these loans will further accelerate Poland’s military modernization, enhancing a wide range of defense capabilities and bolstering NATO’s deterrence and defense posture along its Eastern Flank.

Today’s announcement underscores the United States’ steadfast commitment to Poland’s security and to the continued strengthening of NATO. Together, the United States and Poland are working to ensure a secure and stable future for the region, with a focus on collective defense, strategic partnership, and regional stability.

For additional information, please contact the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs’ Office of Congressional and Public Affairs at pm-cpa@state.gov.




Finland National Day
12/06/2024

Finland National Day
12/06/2024 12:01 AM EST



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

On behalf of the United States of America, I extend heartfelt congratulations to the people of Finland on the occasion of your 107th anniversary of independence.

Finland is a valued and enduring partner, and our relationship is grounded in shared principles of democracy, liberty, and the rule of law. It is thanks to these shared values that we continue to deepen our cooperation to meet today’s global challenges, both in bilateral and multilateral forums.

In November we deepened our cooperation by signing a Memorandum of Understanding for the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (ICE Pact), together with Canada. This initiative highlights our shared commitment as Arctic nations to ensure Arctic and polar regions remain peaceful, cooperative, and prosperous. Our Defense Cooperation Agreement, signed on December 18, 2023, came into force on September 1, building on three decades of security cooperation between our nations.

We recognize Finland’s swift integration into NATO and its substantial contributions to the Alliance since joining in 2023. The United States also deeply appreciates Finland’s resolute support for Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s aggression. We look forward to supporting Finland’s 2025 Chairpersonship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and Finland’s priority to emphasize the OSCE’s principles and commitments as it marks the 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act.

As Finland commemorates its Independence Day, we extend our best wishes to the people of Finland. May our ongoing collaboration continue to build a bright and prosperous future for both our nations.




U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan Perriello’s Travel to Qatar, Kenya, the United Kingdom, and Mauritania
12/06/2024



U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan Perriello’s Travel to Qatar, Kenya, the United Kingdom, and Mauritania
12/06/2024 10:32 AM EST



Office of the Spokesperson

U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan Tom Perriello will travel to Doha, Nairobi, London, and Nouakchott starting December 6 to continue diplomatic efforts to scale up humanitarian assistance to the people of Sudan, deter atrocities and weapon flows, and coordinate efforts to end the conflict in Sudan.

Building on recent progress that expanded humanitarian access into and within Sudan, the Special Envoy will meet with key government officials and representatives of the African Union, the Arab League, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the United Nations, non-governmental organizations, and Sudanese civil society.

In his engagements, the Special Envoy will emphasize the urgent need for the warring parties to allow additional UN humanitarian hubs to facilitate the distribution of aid throughout Sudan; enable humanitarian corridors that ensure the safe, unhindered movement of civilians and humanitarian assistance; improve protections for civilians, including women and girls subjected to gender-based violence; and support a political transition to civilian governance.




The Week at State: November 29 – December 5, 2024
12/06/2024








View as a webpage / Share















November 29 – December 5

Next week, on December 9, we will mark International Anti-Corruption Day, recognizing the courageous individuals advancing accountability, transparency, and the fight against corruption worldwide.

Here’s what happened at State this past week. ⤵️✈️ President Biden became the first sitting U.S. president to visit Angola, where he met with President João Lourenço.
🌐 Secretary Blinken traveled to Brussels and Malta to strengthen transatlantic partnerships.
🌍 On World AIDS Day, we reflected on progress and recommitted to ending HIV/AIDS.


Strengthening Partnerships with Angola

President Biden met with President João Lourenço to reaffirm the United States’ partnership with Angola. The discussions focused on expanding economic ties, particularly in the areas of clean energy, critical minerals, and infrastructure development.

Speaking in Luanda, President Biden laid out America and Angola’s shared history and highlighted the growth and enduring strength of U.S. relationships across Africa.

“Today, I say to the people of Angola and all the people of Africa, there is nothing beyond our capacity if we do it together,” President Biden said on X/Twitter. “We can and will chart a future of great nations, worthy of the highest aspirations of every Angolan and every American.”

President Biden’s trip marks the first visit of a U.S. president to sub-Saharan Africa in nearly a decade, and is the first-ever visit by a sitting U.S. president to Angola.

The trip highlighted U.S. support for Angola through infrastructure investment such as the Lobito Corridor, a major infrastructure initiative connecting African markets to the world.








Secretary Blinken Travels to Brussels and Malta

For 75 years, NATO has served as a shield against aggression, helping governments and society achieve a fuller and happier life for all our citizens.

This week, Secretary Blinken underscored the United States’ steadfast commitment to transatlantic security and global cooperation during his visits to Brussels and Malta.

In Brussels, Secretary Blinken met with NATO and EU leaders to discuss:The ongoing support for Ukraine against Russia’s aggression.
Expanding NATO’s partnerships in the Middle East, North Africa, and the Sahel.
Preparations for the upcoming NATO Summit in The Hague.

In Malta, Secretary Blinken attended the 31st Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Ministerial Council Meeting. There, he discussed the organization's critical work to advance peace, democracy, and human rights.


Marking World AIDS Day 2024

On December 1, the U.S. joined the global community to observe World AIDS Day, commemorating the lives lost to HIV/AIDS and celebrating the progress made in the fight to end the epidemic.

Since its inception in 2003, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has: Saved 26 million lives.
Supported more than 20 million people on antiretroviral treatment.
Helped prevent nearly 7.8 million babies from being born with HIV.

The State Department “through [PEPFAR] and its partners have changed the HIV/AIDS pandemic’s trajectory, saving 26 million lives across 55 countries,” Secretary Blinken said on X/Twitter.


Modernizing American Diplomacy

In a newly published interview, Secretary Blinken shares his vision for a modernized State Department. He discusses the primary goals of the Modernization Agenda and how it is making the State Department stronger, more agile, and more ‘fit for purpose.’


News You May Have MissedWe followed along for a day in the life of Special Advisor on International Disability Rights Sara Minkara as she talked about her work to ensure equal access and opportunity for individuals with disabilities.
We commemorated the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which celebrates the contributions of persons with disabilities worldwide.
Secretary Blinken met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sybiha. He also announced $725 million in additional weapons and equipment for Ukraine’s defense.
Secretary Blinken welcomed the rescinding of Republic of Korea President Yoon’s declaration of martial law after the National Assembly’s unanimous vote to reject the declaration.
The U.S. celebrated Native American Heritage Day, which honors the history, rich cultures, and vast contributions of Native people.
Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell previewed the USA pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, which will open April 13, 2025.






🔎 Looking AheadDecember 7: Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
December 9: International Anti-Corruption Day
December 10: Human Rights Day
👉 Note to Our Readers

We welcome your feedback on this newsletter. Send us your thoughts to EmailTeam@state.gov. 📩












Useful linksTravel advisories and updates on international travel for U.S. Citizens from the Department of State
Did you know that you can invite a representative from the Department of State to speak at your school, business, agency or organization? Learn about what we do through the firsthand experience of one of our representatives.













Read More at State.gov




Statement on Romanian Constitutional Court’s Ruling on Romania’s Presidential Elections
12/06/2024



Statement on Romanian Constitutional Court’s Ruling on Romania’s Presidential Elections
12/06/2024 08:26 PM EST



Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson

The United States stands with the Romanian people as they face an unprecedented situation regarding the integrity of their elections. Romanians must have confidence that their elections reflect the democratic will of the Romanian people and are free of foreign malign influence aimed at undermining the fairness of their elections. The integrity of Romania’s elections is paramount for Romanians’ hard-earned democracy. It is the choice of the Romanian people whom they elect. No other country or foreign actor has that right.

We note the Romanian Constitutional Court’s decision today with respect to Romania’s presidential elections. The United States reaffirms our confidence in Romania’s democratic institutions and processes, including investigations into foreign malign influence. We call on all parties to uphold Romania’s constitutional order and engage in a peaceful democratic process free from threats of violence and intimidation and which reflects the Romanian people’s democratic will.




Joint Statement on the Expansion of the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement
12/07/2024



Joint Statement on the Expansion of the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement
12/07/2024 08:15 AM EST



Office of the Spokesperson

Today, the United States and the Kingdom of Bahrain announced their joint decision to invite the United Kingdom to accede to the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA), representing a major step forward in fostering broader regional security integration, bolstering mutual deterrence against external threats, and expanding cooperation in the fields of commerce, science, and technology with like-minded states in support of peace and prosperity in the Middle East. This announcement advances the vision of C-SIPA to further cooperation among a broader grouping of countries that share mutual interests and a common vision with respect to deterrence, diplomacy, security, economic cooperation, and de-escalation of conflicts in the Middle East region.

Signed at Washington on September 13, 2023, by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, C-SIPA represents a new framework to promote cooperation across a range of areas, from defense and security to science, technology, and trade. The agreement also promotes a Middle East that is more secure, prosperous, deters conflict in the region, enhances regional stability, de-escalates tensions, and bolsters trade and economic cooperation.




Assistant Secretary Pyatt’s Travel to Japan
12/09/2024



Assistant Secretary Pyatt’s Travel to Japan
12/09/2024 02:02 PM EST



Office of the Spokesperson
HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…Assistant Secretary Pyatt’s Travel to Japan
hide

Assistant Secretary Pyatt’s Travel to Japan


Media Note





December 9, 2024



Assistant Secretary for Energy Resources Geoffrey R. Pyatt will lead a delegation to Tokyo, Japan, December 11-13 for the third annual U.S.– Japan Energy Security Dialogue. The event will feature discussions on energy security, investment opportunities in the clean energy sector, and regional energy cooperation.


Assistant Secretary Pyatt, accompanied by experts from the Department of State’s Bureau of Energy Resources, the Bureau of International Security Nonproliferation, the Department of Energy, and the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, will meet with the Japanese delegation led by Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General Satoshi Katahira and Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry Director General Shinichi Kihara. The dialogue will also include a significant private sector component.


The dialogue will cover key areas of U.S. – Japan energy policy and diplomacy cooperation, including economic partnership under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Japan’s Green Transformation (GX) law, critical mineral supply chains through the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), U.S. LNG exports, and continued efforts to fortify Ukraine’s energy sector against relentless Russian attacks. The delegations will also discuss securing global energy flows and scaling up decarbonization technologies as well as progress in deploying clean energy resources such as civil nuclear, renewables, and hydrogen. Additionally, the dialogue will review activities under the Japan – U.S. Mekong Power Partnership (JUMPP), the Clean Energy Demand Initiative (CEDI), and other regional work to bolster energy security and energy sector transformation.


For further media information, please contact ENR-PD-Clearances@state.gov.



Tags
Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Bureau of Energy Resources Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation Energy Energy Japan Office of the Spokesperson


Special Envoy for Global Youth Issues Finkenauer’s Travel to the United Kingdom
12/09/2024



Special Envoy for Global Youth Issues Finkenauer’s Travel to the United Kingdom
12/09/2024 07:27 PM EST



Office of the Spokesperson

The U.S. Department of State Special Envoy for Global Youth Issues, Abby Finkenauer, will travel to London, United Kingdom, from December 10-11, 2024 to build connections with youth leaders, innovators, and changemakers and highlight the importance of civic engagement.

During her time in London, Special Envoy Finkenauer will meet with The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, and engage with members of the Duchess’ youth council.

Special Envoy Finkenauer will also meet with young politicians and leaders, including participants of Fulbright and the International Visitor Leadership Program.

For more information on the trip, follow along on Instagram, X, and Facebook.




Under Secretary Fernandez’s Travel to Brussels, Belgium
12/10/2024



Under Secretary Fernandez’s Travel to Brussels, Belgium
12/10/2024 08:38 AM EST



Office of the Spokesperson

Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez will travel to Brussels, Belgium December 11-13 to attend the European Commission’s Raw Materials Week and to advance discussions on critical minerals projects and policies with members of the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) and MSP Forum.

On December 12, alongside representatives from the Republic of Korea, Under Secretary Fernandez will co-host an MSP Forum Principals meeting, including an in-depth review of current MSP projects. Under Secretary Fernandez will also lead a round table discussion with new members of the MSP Forum.

Following these engagements, he will attend an MSP Forum workshop led by the European Commission with members of the MSP Forum, the private sector, and civil society. Participants will discuss how critical minerals projects and policies can ensure mineral-rich countries benefit from the growth of local industry development and new economic opportunities.

Under Secretary Fernandez will also attend a dinner hosted by the Minerals Investment Network for Vital Energy Security and Transition, or MINVEST, the public-private partnership between the Department of State and SAFE Center for Critical Minerals Strategy in support of the MSP. During the dinner he will discuss investment challenges and opportunities in the critical minerals sector with European public and private sector representatives.

To stay up to date, follow Under Secretary Fernandez on X: @State_E, LinkedIn: @State-E, and Facebook: @StateDeptE. For further media information and opportunities to join events that are open to press or scheduled roundtable interviews, please contact E_Communications@state.gov.




U.S. and Philippines Hold 2nd Annual Energy Policy Dialogue
12/10/2024


U.S. and Philippines Hold 2nd Annual Energy Policy Dialogue
12/10/2024 09:17 PM EST



Office of the Spokesperson
HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…U.S. and Philippines Hold 2nd Annual Energy Policy Dialogue
hide

U.S. and Philippines Hold 2nd Annual Energy Policy Dialogue


Media Note





December 10, 2024



On December 6, the Philippines and the United States held the second annual Energy Policy Dialogue (EPD) in Manila, where the two sides underscored their commitment to deepen cooperation on energy security, energy access, and the clean energy transition.


The Philippines’ Department of Energy’s Secretary Raphael Lotilla and Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella hosted the EPD. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Diplomacy Kimberly Harrington, from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Energy Resources, and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Ann Ganzer, from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, and Ambassador MaryKay Carlson led the U.S. delegation. They were joined by policy experts from the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency.


Representatives from the delegations emphasized the importance of providing affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy, and noted the pivotal role of the private sector in achieving our shared goal of sustainable economic development.


In addition to cooperation on renewable energy, grid planning and modernization, and critical minerals, the EPD detailed next steps on deployment of nuclear energy in the Philippines following the entry into force of the bilateral Agreement for Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy (or “123 Agreement”) in July 2024.


The Philippines and the United States discussed methods to meet energy security and diversification goals, while advancing national decarbonization commitments, in light of significant energy demand growth. They agreed that cooperation on a wide array of energy issues will continue to strengthen the U.S.-Philippines long term bilateral economic and diplomatic relationship.


The delegations agreed to continue collaboration on joint projects to advance our shared energy security and energy transition goals.


For further media information, please contact ENR-PD-Clearances@state.gov.



Tags
Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Bureau of Energy Resources Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation Energy Office of the Spokesperson Philippines


Escalating Crackdown on Azerbaijani Civil Society and Media
12/11/2024

Escalating Crackdown on Azerbaijani Civil Society and Media
12/11/2024 08:50 AM EST



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State
HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…Escalating Crackdown on Azerbaijani Civil Society and Media
hide

Escalating Crackdown on Azerbaijani Civil Society and Media


Press Statement





December 11, 2024



The United States calls on the Government of Azerbaijan to free immediately Rufat Safarov, Sevinj Vagifgizi, Azer Gasimli, Farid Mehralizada, Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, Gubad Ibadoghlu, recently detained associates of independent outlet Meydan TV, and many others arrested for their work on human rights. The United States is deeply concerned not only by these detentions, but by the increasing crackdown on civil society and media in Azerbaijan.


Two of these individuals were to be celebrated in Washington this week for their human rights advocacy:


Rufat Safarov is the co-founder of Defense Line, a civil society organization that documents and reports on politically motivated arrests and prosecutions, government corruption, and allegations of torture. He is one of the few full-time human rights defenders remaining in Azerbaijan and has been targeted for his work. Azerbaijani authorities detained Mr. Safarov on December 3, only days before he was to travel to the United States to receive the Secretary of State’s Human Rights Defender Award.


As Editor-in-Chief of Abzas Media, Sevinj Vagifgizi and her team reported on illegal tenders to companies controlled by government officials and investigated allegations of large-scale embezzlement of public funds. Her work has drawn the ire of authorities, and she has been held in pre-trial detention since November 2023. On December 9, Ms. Vagifgizi received the Secretary of State’s 2024 Anti-Corruption Champions award in absentia.


We urge the Government of Azerbaijan to release those unjustly detained for their advocacy on behalf of human rights, cease its crackdown on civil society, respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all, and fulfill the commitments it made when it joined the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.



Tags
Azerbaijan Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Human Rights and Democracy Office of the Spokesperson The Secretary of State


Deputy Secretary Verma Delivers Keynote Address on Strengthening Ukraine’s Economic Recovery and Reconstruction
12/11/2024



Deputy Secretary Verma Delivers Keynote Address on Strengthening Ukraine’s Economic Recovery and Reconstruction
12/11/2024 01:47 PM EST



Office of the Spokesperson
HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…Deputy Secretary Verma Delivers Keynote Address on Strengthening Ukraine’s Economic Recovery and Reconstruction
hide

Deputy Secretary Verma Delivers Keynote Address on Strengthening Ukraine’s Economic Recovery and Reconstruction


Notice to the Press





December 11, 2024



Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard R. Verma will deliver a keynote address at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on U.S. efforts to advance Ukraine’s economic recovery and reconstruction. Deputy Secretary Verma will also highlight ways the U.S. government and private sector can continue supporting Ukraine by developing technology, energy, agriculture, infrastructure, metal and mining industries, and Ukraine’s defense industrial base.


The event will take place at CSIS on Thursday, December 12 from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. CSIS is located at 1616 Rhode Island Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20036. The program will stream live and be accessible using this link.


Media may register on the CSIS event page. Please send media-related inquiries to H. Andrew Schwartz at aschwartz@csis.org.


Follow Deputy Secretary of State Verma on Instagram and X: @DepSecStateMR



Tags
Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Office of the Spokesperson Ukraine


United States Congratulates Austria on Becoming the 50th Signatory of the Artemis Accords
12/11/2024


United States Congratulates Austria on Becoming the 50th Signatory of the Artemis Accords
12/11/2024 03:55 PM EST



Office of the Spokesperson

Austria became the 50th signatory of the Artemis Accords at a ceremony at NASA headquarters this afternoon. Ambassador Petra Schneebauer signed the Artemis Accords on behalf of the Government of Austria and in the presence of State Department Acting Assistant Secretary Jennifer R. Littlejohn and NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.

Austria is a vital strategic partner of the United States and, via this signing, has further demonstrated its continuing commitment, alongside the other Artemis Accords signatories, to safe and sustainable international cooperation in outer space. As the host to the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, Austria supports important work to ensure responsible space exploration and best practices in space to keep space sustainable for current and future generations. By signing the Artemis Accords, Austria builds on the already strong bilateral partnership with the United States, based on shared democratic values, a dynamic bilateral trade and investment relationship, and the deep and diverse people-to-people ties that unite us.

The Artemis Accords were established in 2020 by the United States and seven other countries. They set out a practical set of principles to guide responsible space exploration. Austria joins the United States and 48 other nations – Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, the Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, Poland, the Republic of Korea, Romania, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and Uruguay – in affirming the Accords’ principles for sustainable civil space activity. The Department of State and NASA lead the United States’ outreach and implementation of the Accords.

For more information, please visit https://www.state.gov/artemis-accords/. For media inquiries, please contact OES-Press@state.gov.




Czechia Delegation Participates in U.S. Civil Nuclear Energy Study Tour
12/11/2024



Czechia Delegation Participates in U.S. Civil Nuclear Energy Study Tour
12/11/2024 07:34 PM EST



Office of the Spokesperson

The Department of State hosted a high-level delegation from Czechia for a U.S. Civil Nuclear Study Tour to promote cooperation on small modular reactor (SMR) and advanced nuclear technologies from December 1-11, 2024. The delegation visited Washington, D.C., Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, and the Deep Isolation Borehole Demonstration Center in Cameron, Texas, to meet with federal, state, local, and private sector partners who are on the forefront of deploying the next generation of advanced U.S. nuclear technologies. The study tour is an integral element of U.S.-Czechia collaboration under the Nuclear Expediting the Energy Transition (NEXT) One Stop Shop that the Department launched as part of the Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology (FIRST) program, which began in 2019.

Senior officials from the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation met with the Czechia delegation to discuss issues pertaining to workforce development, regulatory infrastructure, advanced technology options, stakeholder engagement, and nuclear safety, security, and nonproliferation. In addition, the delegation met with leading commercial and academic experts in U.S. civil nuclear energy, participated in small modular reactor simulator tours, and conducted discussions with private sector experts and academic training personnel.

The United States is committed to supporting the use of advanced nuclear energy technologies to catalyze technological advancement, job creation, and enhanced energy security in partner countries around the world.




Kenya’s National Day
12/12/2024



Kenya’s National Day
12/12/2024 12:22 PM EST



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

On behalf of the Government of the United States and the American people, I send best wishes to the people of Kenya as you celebrate your 61st Independence Day.

Today, we celebrate our mutual commitment to leading democracies that deliver prosperity, security, and opportunity for our people. It was an honor to host Kenya this summer for a State Visit, which afforded an unprecedented opportunity to uplift our enduring people-to-people partnership. I commend Kenya’s leadership in advancing shared climate solutions, collaborating on mutually beneficial trade and investment to promote a prosperous and inclusive future, driving digital technology transformation, and tirelessly addressing some of the globe’s most difficult peace and security challenges.

I look forward to the next 60 years of our partnership and wish Kenyans a truly joyous Jamhuri Day.


Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Turkish President Erdoğan
12/12/2024



Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Turkish President Erdoğan
12/12/2024 04:05 PM EST



Office of the Spokesperson

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met today in Ankara with Turkish President Recep Erdoğan to discuss the latest developments in Syria. Secretary Blinken discussed strong U.S.-Turkish regional cooperation and our shared interest in supporting a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition to an accountable and inclusive government. He reiterated the importance of all actors in Syria respecting human rights, upholding international humanitarian law, and taking all feasible steps to protect civilians, including members of minority groups. Secretary Blinken noted the importance of facilitating the flow of humanitarian assistance to all in need and emphasized that displaced Syrians will continue to need protection. He emphasized the need to ensure the coalition to defeat ISIS can continue to execute its critical mission. He also discussed the urgent need to conclude a ceasefire agreement in Gaza that secures the release of hostages and surges humanitarian assistance to vulnerable Palestinian civilians.




United States Announces Significant Military Assistance for Ukraine
12/12/2024


United States Announces Significant Military Assistance for Ukraine
12/12/2024 06:50 PM EST



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

As part of the surge in security assistance that President Biden announced on September 26, the United States is providing another significant package of urgently needed weapons and equipment to our Ukrainian partners as they defend against Russia’s ongoing attacks.

This additional assistance, provided under previous drawdowns from Department of Defense stocks, is valued at $500 million. It includes: Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (c-UAS) munitions; ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS); 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition; High-speed Anti-radiation missiles (HARMs); Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS); Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAPs); High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs); light tactical vehicles; Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) protective equipment; Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems; Tube-launched, Optically guided, Wire-tracked (TOW) missiles; small arms ammunition; grenades and training equipment; demolition equipment and munitions; as well as spare parts, ancillary equipment, services, training, and transportation.

The United States and more than 50 nations stand united to ensure Ukraine has the capabilities it needs to defend itself against Russian aggression.




Pursuing Visa Restrictions for Individuals Involved in Undermining Democracy in Georgia
12/12/2024


Pursuing Visa Restrictions for Individuals Involved in Undermining Democracy in Georgia
12/12/2024 08:36 PM EST



Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson

The Department of State is announcing additional action today under the visa restriction policy that prohibits visa issuance to those who are responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Georgia. Today’s action will affect approximately twenty individuals, including individuals serving as government ministers and in Parliament, law enforcement and security officials, and private citizens.

The United States strongly condemns the Georgian Dream party’s ongoing, brutal, and unjustified violence against Georgian citizens, including protesters, members of the media, human rights activists, and opposition figures. Georgian Dream has turned away from Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic future, which the Georgian people overwhelmingly desire and the Georgian constitution envisions. We are committed to seeing that senior officials responsible for or complicit in undermining democracy will be subject to visa restrictions.

We are preparing additional actions, including sanctions, to hold to account those who undermine democracy in Georgia. Alongside the people of Georgia, we want to see a strong, prosperous, and democratic Georgia firmly integrated in the Euro-Atlantic community. Our actions today demonstrate U.S. resolve and add to previously announced actions implicating more than 100 Georgian Dream-affiliated individuals and their family members.

The Department of State’s steps to impose visa restrictions were taken pursuant to Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, under the policy Secretary Blinken announced in May 2024.




Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan Before Their Meeting
12/13/2024

Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan Before Their Meeting
12/13/2024 07:20 AM EST



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Ankara, Türkiye

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

FOREIGN MINISTER FIDAN: (Via interpreter) Distinguished members of the press, today we are hosting the U.S. Secretary of State, my counterpart, Secretary Antony Blinken, in Ankara. And I’m very pleased to host him. He has been received last by our president today, and as of this meeting we have been having intense deliberations. Of course we had two very important items on the agenda, the first one being Syria and the Gaza Strip – with the new situation in Syria, for the better of the citizens of Syria, with the sovereignty and for the integrity of Syria. What could be done by Türkiye and the USA? What are the rules of the regional actors? What kind of a cooperation should we have? These were the topics that we discussed.

Of course, ensuring stability in Syria as soon as possible, taking action to prevent terrorism from establishing a foothold are among our priorities. We discussed what would be done on these issues, what would be done for terrorists – DAESH and PKK – taking action to prevent them from abusing the situation. These were the priorities. We discussed what would be the common worries, what would be the common solutions. We talked about these in depth.

On the other hand, we also discussed the Gaza issue, and we agreed that there should be a ceasefire as soon as possible. Of course in the region also the USA and Türkiye are active, so we are actively working to achieve this ceasefire, but unfortunately the violence is not ending, and Israel continues killing civilians.

We also discussed what could be done to end this, and at the earliest opportunity.

On the other hand, there were other topics that we discussed that concerned the two countries, topics on the defense industry, and other topics.

Once again, I would like to thank you for the visit. Most possibly during his tenure, this is going to be the last visit of Mr. Blinken, and I would like to once again thank him for the cooperation he has extended and for the cooperation. Wish him success in his further life.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, thank you very much. And let me first say to my colleagues and my friend, the foreign minister, thank you. Thank you for the friendship. Thank you for the partnership. Thank you for the very good work that we’ve been able to do together to strengthen even more the relationship between Türkiye and the United States, and to use that relationship, to use that partnership to try to make progress on the many issues that are of concern to people in both of our countries.

And I also want to extend my thanks and gratitude to President Erdogan for the generosity of his time and his insight last night in receiving us.

As the minister said, we’re very focused on Syria, very focused on the opportunity that now is before us and before the Syrian people to move from out from under the shackles of Bashar al-Assad to a different and better future for the Syrian people, one that the Syrian people decide for themselves.

We talked about how Türkiye, how the United States, how other partners in the region can support those efforts. And I think there’s broad agreement on what we would each like to see going forward, starting with the interim government in Syria – one that is inclusive and non-sectarian, one that protects the rights or minorities and women, one that preserves institutions of the state and delivers services to the people, one that deals with any chemical weapons it may find to secure them and appropriately destroy them, one that rejects any alliances with extremist groups, and of course one that does not pose any kind of threat to any of Syria’s neighbors.

There is, I think, growing consensus on what many of us would like to see, because it’s the best way to realize the aspirations of the Syrian people; it’s also the best way to ensure that what emerges in Syria gets the support and recognition that it wants from the international community, and which it very much needs after so many years of dictatorship, of conflict, of corruption, of isolation.

We also discussed the imperative of continuing the efforts to keep ISIS down. Our countries worked very hard and gave a lot over many years to ensure the elimination of the territorial caliphate of ISIS, to ensure that that threat doesn’t rear its head again, and it’s imperative that we keep at those efforts.

Finally, as the minister said, we discussed Gaza, and we discussed, I think, the opportunity to finally try to complete the hostage/ceasefire agreement – to get the hostages home, to get a ceasefire in place. And what we’ve seen in the last couple of weeks are more encouraging signs that that is possible. And in my discussions with President Erdogan and with Minister Fidan, we talked about the imperative of Hamas saying yes to the agreement that’s possible, to finally help bring this to an end. And we appreciate very much the role that Türkiye can play in using its voice with Hamas to try to bring this to conclusion.

We’ll be pursuing these conversations tomorrow in Jordan, in Aqaba, with many of our Arab partners. And again, I think you’re seeing countries coming together throughout the region – Türkiye, Arab countries, as well as partners like the United States – all in support of the Syrian people, of taking advantage of this moment of opportunity to see Syria moved in a much different direction, one that finally reflects the will of the Syrian people.

Thank you.




Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan
12/13/2024

Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan
12/13/2024 08:03 AM EST



Office of the Spokesperson

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met today with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to discuss the latest developments in Syria. Secretary Blinken reaffirmed U.S. support for a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition to an accountable and inclusive government. He reiterated calls for all actors in Syria to respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Syrians, including members of minority groups, and to prevent Syria from being used as a base for terrorism. Secretary Blinken emphasized the importance of U.S.-Turkish cooperation in the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS mission in Syria.

The Secretary and Foreign Minister also discussed the latest developments in efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza that secures the release of all hostages. Secretary Blinken underscored the urgency of reaching an agreement.




The Week at State: December 6 - December 12, 2024
12/13/2024








View as a webpage / Share















December 6 - December 12, 2024

The fall of Bashar al-Assad in Syria offers new hope for the Syrian people. Secretary Blinken is in the Middle East to encourage an inclusive, Syrian-led transition.

Here’s what happened at State this past week. ⤵️✈️ Secretary Blinken traveled to Jordan and Türkiye to discuss developments in Syria and across the region.
🎖️ On Human Rights Day, we honored eight human rights defenders from across the globe.
🌐 Secretary Blinken recognized 10 anti-corruption champions on International Anti-Corruption Day.
🖼️ We recognized former Secretary of State John Kerry with an official portrait.


New Hope in Syria Transition

Following 13 years of civil war, Bashar al-Assad’s brutal authoritarian rule in Syria has come to an end.

Speaking from the White House, President Biden promised to engage with Syrians and other partners to form an independent and sovereign Syria. But, he said, “this process will be determined by the Syrian people themselves.”

Secretary Blinken departed for Jordan and Türkiye on December 11 to reiterate U.S. support for a Syrian transition that:Protects minority rights.
Eases the flow of humanitarian assistance.
Prevents Syria from being used as a base of terrorism.

The U.S. is also committed to supporting the stability of Syria’s neighbors, including Jordan, during this period of transition.

In Aqaba, the Secretary met with Jordanian King Abdullah II and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi to discuss developments in Syria and our efforts to secure peace in the region.

On December 12, Secretary Blinken arrived in Ankara to discuss regional security and cooperation with NATO Ally Türkiye, a key partner in developing a peaceful future for Syria.

“For the first time in decades, Syria has an opportunity to have a government that is run by and answers to the people, not dominated by a dictator, religious or ethnic group, or outside power,” Secretary Blinken said on X/Twitter.

Top of mind is also the protection of Americans in Syria, including finding and returning journalist Austin Tice, who was abducted in Syria 12 years ago. If anyone has information leading to his location, recovery, and return, you can send a message via Signal, WhatsApp, or Telegram to 1-202-702-7843.








Honoring Human Rights Champions Around the World

Human Rights Day stands as a powerful reminder of our enduring commitment to dignity, freedom, and justice — values fundamental to the founding of our nation and to the world we envision.

On December 10, Secretary Blinken honored exceptional human rights defenders.

Under Secretary Zeya and Assistant Secretary Rand joined him to celebrate eight individuals and their resilience and courage in advocating for dignity worldwide.

The United States invested $1.06 billion in foreign assistance for human rights over the past four years, marking a significant milestone. To learn more, read U.S. Achievements in Advancing Human Rights Globally.


Honoring Secretary John Kerry

We celebrated John Kerry, the 68th Secretary of State, with a portrait.

During the ceremony, Secretary Blinken highlighted Kerry’s dedication to diplomacy and climate action. Key moments included signing the Paris Climate Agreement and persevering during negotiations, even from a hospital bed.


Combating Corruption Worldwide

Corruption erodes democratic governance, undermines trust in government, and hinders development.

On International Anti-Corruption Day, Secretary Blinken recognized 10 anti-corruption champions for their extraordinary contributions.

"Corruption exacerbates irregular migration, instability, conflict — conditions that terrorists, criminals, and adversaries all exploit," Secretary Blinken said at the Anti-Corruption Champions Award Ceremony. The Secretary emphasized the U.S. commitment to supporting these champions and strengthening global partnerships to counter corruption.

The U.S. government launched the Anti-Corruption Champions Award in 2021 to recognize individuals who have taken remarkable steps to counter corruption.

This year, honorees included government officials, civil society leaders, and investigative journalists from Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Colombia, The Gambia, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Nepal, Panama, and Uganda .


News You May Have MissedThe United States welcomed Panama and Austria as the 49th and 50th members of the Artemis Accords, reflecting the growing international consensus toward responsible space exploration.
Secretary Blinken spoke at the fifth anniversary of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), highlighting $12 billion in commitments across 44 countries this year to advance food security, climate solutions, and global health resilience.
Secretary Blinken addressed the House Foreign Affairs Committee on the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
The U.S. welcomed the Ankara Declaration by Ethiopia and Somalia, reaffirming each country’s sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity and advancing cooperation on shared interests.
The U.S. has introduced new visa restriction policies for individuals responsible for abusive or unjust detention abroad of foreign nationals and for the family members of individuals who wrongfully detain Americans.
We announced updates to the Exchange Visitor Skills List to further enhance U.S. competitiveness, streamline the visa process, and make it possible for those who qualify for work visas to continue contributing their talents to U.S. businesses and U.S. innovation.






🔎 Looking AheadDecember 25: Christmas Day; Start of Hanukkah
December 26: Start of Kwanzaa
👉 Note to Our Readers

We welcome your feedback on this newsletter. Send us your thoughts to EmailTeam@state.gov. 📩












Useful linksTravel advisories and updates on international travel for U.S. Citizens from the Department of State
Did you know that you can invite a representative from the Department of State to speak at your school, business, agency or organization? Learn about what we do through the firsthand experience of one of our representatives.













Read More at State.gov









Stay connected with the State Department: